Book Review: Books V. Cigarettes by George Orwell

 

This book was first published as an essay in 1940s. The author says that even if one buys books and periodicals, that does not cost more than the combined cost of smoking and drinking. Orwell shares his own experience of working at a secondhand book shop. He doubts whether ten percent of his customers at the bookshop are able to distinguish a good book from a bad one. Every month about a dozen books were stolen from the bookshop.

Orwell states that the job of a book reviewer includes praising trash, and majority of the books published are bad. Furthermore, he believes that the idea of intellectual liberty is under threat from two sides. First, is the theoretical enemy- the apologists of totalitarianism. Second, is the practical enemy- monopoly and bureaucracy. The weakening desire for liberty among the intellectuals themselves is the most serious symptom of all. Regarding imagination Orwell says: ‘...we know only that the imagination, like certain wild animals, will bot breed in captivity.’

The author says that in England the large numbers of well-trained and disciplined nurses are underrated. He also shares his own experience of living in St Cyprian boarding school in Sussex. He narrates how they were underfed, bullied and punished. With that they were also kept in unclean living spaces. He also shares stories of his poverty and how did he feel about it. In comparison with the underprivileged students the rich students were given preferential treatment.  

Ian Hy, Thackeray, Kipling and H.G Wells were Orwell’s favorite authors from boyhood. He also writes about the discussions between the different students who boasted their parents’ wealth. He says that: ‘In a world where the prime necessities were money, titled relatives, athleticism, tailor-made clothes, neatly brushed hair, a charming smile, I was no good.’ He feels dejected.

In this work, George Orwell touches on the themes of money, reading, bookshops, freedom of press, boarding life and patriotism. Anyone with an interest of reading about the early twentieth century England, should definitely read this.