Some Thoughts in the Common Toad is vol. 99 in Penguin's Great Ideas series of little books by ‘great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilisation and helped make us who we are’. It comprises a number of articles/essays by George Orwell.
I have never read any George Orwell before, and was impressed by his succinct, clear writing-style. Most of the pieces are pretty interesting too, especially his defence of P.G. Wodehouse, and his first-hand account of being coerced into shooting an elephant. The only piece I didn't enjoy was a long analysis of Gulliver's Travels—a book I have never read, which, consequently, meant very little to me.
On the strength of this short book, I shall make a point of reading more or Orwell's journalism in future.
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