A Kind of Compulsion, 1903-1936

This volume begins with Orwell's letters home from St. Cyprian's Preparatory School from the age of eight. Orwell illustrated many of these letters and the edition reproduces his simple but charming drawings. Whilst at Eton he contributed to several college publications and these, with several of his early stories, are printed here. It was also a time when he wrote poetry and all the poems of these years are included. Whilst in Burma he wrote sketches and draft that were lead to Burmese Days; all are now published here. Reprinted for the first time since their publication in Paris in 1928 - 1929, and now with English translations, are the articles he wrote to expose the sufferings of the unemployed, tramps and beggars, the imperialist exploitation of other people, a literary essay and an essay on censorship, all of which would be centres of concern for Orwell throughout his life. In 1930 Orwell had published the first of his 379 reviews of some 700 books, plays and films. In 1931 'A Hanging', the first of his most important essays, was published. The volume includes the text of his school play, King Charles II, which features (as Charles 1) in A Clergyman's Daughter.