To Orwell Today,

Hello Jackie Jura,

I came across your Orwell page today and thought you might like to know about this book we just published: Our graphic novel version of a wonderful piece from George Orwell, called "Such, Such Were the Joys".

"Such, Such Were the Joys" is an autobiographical tale about Orwell's childhood experiences of school, connecting his tales to wider social points. The book is adapted into graphic novel form by myself and artist Jaime Huxtable.

It comes out on August the 20th from respected long time publisher of books on sociology, history and politics -- Pluto press -- as their first graphic novel. Published with the permission of the Orwell estate, it even has a back cover quote from Orwell's son.

Best wishes,
Sean Wilson, September 2021

Greetings Sean,

It's hard to believe you just discovered ORWELL TODAY today as it's been an Orwell resource on the worldwideweb for 20 years already. But better late than never that's for sure.

It would be interesting to know which Orwell page you came across today and your comments. I've written massive articles over the years on your topic of interest, ie Orwell's essay "Such, Such Were the Joys". They're linked below in descending order of when published on the website.

In the meantime I'll be reading your graphic novel (comic book in prolespeak). From what I've seen so far it looks great -- the artist is fantastic. Your narration in the bubbles focuses, as you say, on the wider social points and your interpretation of Orwell's view, not always in his own words, takes some literary licence. But with endorsement from Orwell's son I guess that's not an issue.

All the best,
Jackie Jura

CHALK FARM ORWELL'S ANIMAL FARM

WILLINGDON ANIMAL FARM TOURISM

ORWELL WALKS WILLINGDON DOWNS (... In Orwell's earliest existing pieces of writing -- letters from school to his mother in 1911 when he was eight -- he talks excitedly about walking on the DOWNS to BEACHY HEAD. And in one of his last pieces of writing -- a 1947 essay lambasting boarding school -- Orwell says the only time he was happy there was when he was walking the DOWNS. He used to go, with his best friend and a favourite teacher, on long nature hikes catching butterflies and other insects -- and at the end of the day have tea in a village pub -- the RED LION in WILLINGDON by chance?...)

WALLINGTON OR WILLINGDON ANIMAL FARM

1954 ANIMAL FARM BONAFIDE HALAS

To Orwell Today,

Thank you Jackie,

It was a friend with an interest in Orwell who told me about your site. I see lots of amazing details relating to St Cyprian's and Eastbourne there, which is interesting.

All the best,
Sean

Hello again Sean,

I've been catching up on emails and realize I hadn't posted our discussion on the website and have done so now.

All the best,
Jackie Jura, February 2024

PS - Here's another new book with some similar themes: BOOK WIFEDOM ORWELLIAN PROLEFEED

WHY ORWELL WROTE