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Homage to Catalonia

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Homage to Catalonia

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Jeremy Northam
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About this listen

Homage to Catalonia is George Orwell’s account of his experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and a portrait of disillusionment with his early politics. Orwell’s experiences include being shot in the neck by a sniper, and being forced into hiding as factions of the Left battled on the streets of Barcelona. Orwell entered Spain intending to gather an experience worth writing about, as well as to fight Fascism, and wrote Homage to Catalonia within months of his return. His honesty and bitterness make for an unparalleled account of his journey from belief and enthusiasm to a reluctant loss of ideals.

This audio edition includes two appendices, essays Orwell added to the book giving some background to the Spanish Civil War, and his biting analysis of the press response.

©2011 CSA Word (P)2011 CSA Word Art & Literature Authors Military & War Travel Writing & Commentary War Military Civil War
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Orwell is a masterful story teller, and this narrator does him splendid justice. This is a personal story set in a moment in history in which Spain became the centre of a global ideological struggle. Orwell provides timeless insights into class, society, humanity and the ever lingering left-right divide.

That said, Orwell seems to forget that he was in a foreign country of which he had almost no understanding, and was a foot soldier in broader struggle of which he had only a worms-eye view - and jumps to conclusions that are not necessarily well founded (thank you Paul Preston). For most of the English speaking world, this will be their only insight into the Spanish Civil War. That, unfortunately, does not make it an authoritative insight.

timeless

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Probably the best book I've listened to on audible. Orwell's retelling of his time fighting in the Spanish Civil War is as entertaining as it is informative. A true tale of the complexities of revolution, it is essential reading for a rounded political education.

Still a must read in 2020

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Nothing ever changes, the story is as new as today. The dancers change but the dance forever the same. Orwell’s simple, precise descriptions are as real as ever. One of the better descriptions of being shot. He gives too much oxygen to the evil that is communism, but maybe you have to be a believer before you can renounce this wicked cult.

The Road to 1984?

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I got this because I was going to Barcelona and thought it would be more insightful and relevant. but it's just an account of his time "fighting" in the Spanish revolution. I do know much more on the subject than I did and knowledge is always a good thing.

I am not really into war stories

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For someone who knows nothing about the Spanish civil war I found this fascinating. Orwell's direct way of writing and calling out what he sees as wrong I find delightful

Fascinating

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For a first person perspective on the Spanish Civil War it is terrific. As entertainment its a bit dry. Animal Farm and Burmese Days are lots more fun to read.

Factually and Historically Informative. A Bit Dry.

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There are some books that you listen to despite the narration, and there are some that you could listen to all day because of the narration. This book is the second type. Jeremy Northam, whoever he is, is a brilliant, brilliant narrator. There were times when you won't even be listening to the words but just listening to him read them. I've always thought the best option is to have an author read their own book, but with Orwell somewhat unavailable, Northam is a 6/5 stars stand-in. Great book. Orwell was a genius because he was honest.

Six-star performance

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Homage to Catalonia is an example of the best kind of history: that written by someone who saw it happen first hand and had the skills to record it. You can see the experience that informed Orwell’s later work, especially 1984 and Animal Farm. An enduring reminder too not to always trust the established media

An important piece of lesser known history

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This book rightly deserves to be on the cannon of western "leftist" literature. It provides a firsthand account of a writer turned soldier and gives a really human feel to the Spanish conflict. I would definitely say it provides a bit of a rosy tinted view of a very complicated conflict though.

Historical Classic

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