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Title:	Orwell's Roses
Authors:	Solnit, Rebecca
Genre:	Non Fiction
Pages:	320
Year:	2022
Language:	English
Description:	On one hand there was his passion for social justice famously expressed through his classic works of literature, and on the other, was his unexpected passion for ... gardening. At the centre of this story is George Orwell, writer, political thinker, and avid gardener. Part biography, part personal memoir, and with thought-provoking rambles through nature, art and politics, this book is a fascinating foray into the life of one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. [Small font]
Categories:	Non-fiction, Biography, Essays/Columns, Human Rights, Literature oriented, Political, England, 2024 Titles

Reviews

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By: WHITIAN 003		2026-03-25 10:07:34

A very interesting book! Not t all what we expected, but once we had read a few pages we found it had us hooked. He was certainly an "odd" character, but a very deep thinker and way before his time with his criticism of the way nature was trashed.

By: CHCH 282		2026-01-10 14:41:44

More of a collection of essays - not a straightforward read. Nevertheless, good insights and connection.

By: WANG 011		2025-11-28 15:00:28

Some of us thought this book was boring and didn't finish it. Others thought it was wonderful. Mostly we considered it to be a series of loosely connected topics, some interesting, some not so, and some completely irrelevant to the main subjects; Orwell and roses.

By: AUCK 352		2025-06-23 11:12:37

Hard to get into but very interesting.

By: AUCK 334		2025-06-11 13:29:11

Mixed response. Some loved it. Meandering at times but beautifully written and such a different perspective. New insights into Orwell.

By: CHCH 383		2025-05-07 13:27:36

Provoked a very good discussion. Some of us liked the structure. We are all teachers!

By: TAKA 004		2025-03-13 10:02:39

This book isn't for everyone, but if you're interested in history and sociology, it's a fascinating read. It covers a huge range of well researched topics, linked cleverly through Orwell's writing and his love of gardening.

By: AUCK 063		2024-10-11 16:04:42

Hard going at first, and not all made it through, but the writing did settle into an easier style. Wide ranging scope of Orwell�s family background, workers' lives and geopolitics of his era, and finding a more rounded person than one with just a dystopian focus. Our discussion did inspire one member to persevere.

By: DOUBT 001		2024-09-25 10:28:22

Impossible to do overall rating - very passionate responses from 1 - 4.5. Repeated comments were that it was a difficult read - complicated language ( dictionary on hand), very challenging and intense. It was more of a series of essays with interlinked themes. Parts that were of interest were those about his life and love of gardening, which gave Orwell a softer side. One comment was that it was too flowery for such a serious topic.

By: COROM 002		2024-07-22 12:13:40

Not an easy book; some found it a bit rambling, but those who persevered were rewarded with a wealth of interesting information, affording very good discussion. Notes were excellent too.

By: NELS 089		2024-05-20 12:06:10

Great book! Fascinating - most members got something out of it. Lively discussion.