Reader Orwell Wife Eileen

DID WIFE EILEEN MAKE ORWELL?

"Now, that's the kind of girl I would like to marry",
George told a friend the night he met Eileen O'Shaughnessy.
The year before, Eileen had published a futuristic poem called
"End of the Century, 1984".
Later, George would name his greatest work, 1984,
in homage to the memory of Eileen.

I discovered your website seven years ago, when I first started my biography of Eileen O'Shaughnessy, Orwell's extraordinary first wife. As you of course know, a biography of her had never been written before. I'm sure you'll be very interested to know that my book is now about to be published by Unbound press, in London, with the title Eileen: The Making of Orwell.

EILEEN: THE MAKING OF ORWELL is the never-before-told story of the woman who recognized Orwell's genius before almost anyone else had. Eileen's whimsical sense of humour, her ability to match Orwell intellectually, and her absolute devotion to helping him develop his talent and promote his career helped shape one of the 20th century's greatest writers. This is the first book on this extraordinary woman who has been until now unjustly overlooked. It examines the Blairs' nine-year marriage, the partnership that produced some of the greatest works in English literature. The year before she met Orwell, Eileen had published a futuristic poem called "End of the Century, 1984". Later, George would name his greatest work, 1984, in homage to the memory of Eileen. EILEEN: THE MAKING OF ORWELL is a vivid picture of bohemianism, poverty, political engagement, and sexual freedom in the 30s and 40s, with an undertow of sadness. This touching story offers a completely new perspective on Orwell himself.

I hope you will mention this book on your website. And perhaps you could suggest that people go to the Unbound website link above to order copies ahead of time. That would get the book into bookstores more quickly. I also hope you would consider ordering a copy ahead of time yourself. And please do tell anyone else about my book who might be interested. You will also notice that I've discovered many beliefs about the Orwell story that should be corrected. The family members I've come to know quite well are all thrilled by my discoveries.

Thank you for contacting me with news about your newly published book about Orwell's wife Eileen -- and yes, I will order a copy in hardcover when it's available here in Canada.

I went to your publisher's website and read the excerpt of Chapter 5 -- A WHIRLWIND COURTSHIP and could totally relate to the description of Eileen and friend climbing up the hill to the flat where Orwell was living because I and a friend climbed that hill on my HOMAGE TO ORWELL in 2003. And I liked your anecdote about how everyone loved Eileen's name "O'Shaughnessy".

There are many articles on my website about Eileen and her beloved brother Dr Laurence O'Shaughnessy whose death at the beginning of WWII devastated her. Laurence had played a huge role in Eileen's and George's life and his loss not only affected them, but had impact even on all the people he was helping in the fight against tuberculosis and other heart-lung conditions.

Congratulations on becoming a published author -- and of such an interesting subject. I look forward to reading EILEEN: THE MAKING OF ORWELL.

The thing he was about to do was open a diary.
...In small clumsy letters he wrote:
April 4, 1984 - 2018

Dear World: Did you not read my book?
1.Winston's Diary
& WINSTON DIARY BEGAN APRIL 4, 1984
& WINSTON'S DIARY IS ORWELL'S BOOK

DID WIFE EILEEN MAKE ORWELL?
& ORWELL'S WIFE NAMED 1984

The book is over 80% funded now, so a few more of your contacts ordering advance copies would get it on its way!!

And Richard Blair and Quentin Kopp have written articles, which will be posted on the website soon.

It's great your EILEEN: THE MAKING OF ORWELL is doing so well and being reviewed by Orwell scholars -- all of whose books I own.

Gordon Bowker, who wrote his biography, INSIDE GEORGE ORWELL, in 2003, says: Sylvia Topp has written a most interesting biography of George Orwell's first wife, Eileen. Her researches have turned up some remarkable material from various semi obscure sources. And she has made especially good use of the testimonies of Eileen's friends and her BBC records. Ms Topp has written a book in a plain crystalline prose particularly suitable to her subject, and has not only brought Eileen in from the shadows, but has given her full credit for her contributions to Orwell's late great novels. An excellent read, especially rewarding for Orwell scholars.

D.J. Taylor, who wrote ORWELL: THE LIFE, in 2003, says: Eileen O'Shaughnessy, George Orwell's first wife, has always been something of a black hole at the centre of Orwell Studies. Sylvia Topp's painstaking researches have breathed life into this enigmatic figure, and all Orwell fans owe her a huge debt of gratitude.

Peter Stansky, who co-authored ORWELL: THE TRANSFORMATION, in 1980, says: One cannot emphasize too strongly the importance of Eileen O'Shaughnessy in the life of Eric Blair, and hence of George Orwell. Her influence upon him was profound, in his life and his work. It's now splendid to have her biography.

VISITING ORWELL'S WEDDING CHURCH (...And there on the right, in all its glory, is St. Mary's Church where on Tuesday, June 9th, 1936, Eric Arthur Blair married Eileen Maud O'Shaughnessy. He was 33 and she was 30.... Eileen died nine years later on March 29th, 1945, and was buried on April 3, 1945. No doubt, in cryptic remembrance of her, Orwell had Winston Smith, the hero of "1984", begin his diary on April 4th....)

Jackie Jura
~ an independent researcher monitoring local, national and international events ~

email: orwelltoday@gmail.com
HOME PAGE
website: www.orwelltoday.com