Orwell's Roses

Rebecca Solnit's Orwell's Roses presents a captivating exploration of George Orwell’s life through an unexpected lens: his passion for gardening and particularly his affection for roses. The book delves into a lesser-known aspect of Orwell's existence, revealing a man deeply connected to the natural world, whose love of flowers and plants significantly influenced his work and ideologies.

Inspired by an encounter with the surviving roses Orwell is reputed to have planted at his Hertfordshire cottage, Solnit embarks on a journey that explores the intricate relationship between Orwell’s horticultural interests and his intellectual pursuits. This beautifully woven narrative takes us from the grimness of the English coal mines to the fervour of the Spanish Civil War, and from his sharp critique of Stalin’s tyranny to his profound understanding of the nexus between deceit and authoritarianism.

Solnit uncovers a more hopeful Orwell, one who finds solace and motivation in nature. His appreciation for beauty, expressed through his meticulous care for his garden, offers a counterpoint to his otherwise bleak and critical view of politics and society. As Solnit engages in a literary dialogue with Orwell, she casts light on various historical and cultural anecdotes, such as the colonial legacy embedded in the cultivation of flowers, the roses immortalised by photographer Tina Modotti, Stalin's peculiar obsession with cultivating lemons in frigid climates, and the harsh realities of Colombia’s rose industry.

Told with Solnit’s characteristic insightfulness and graceful prose, Orwell's Roses invites readers to reconsider Orwell not merely as a dystopian prophet but as a man who saw gardening and the cultivation of beauty as essential acts of resistance against oppressive regimes. Through this re-examination, Solnit provides a fresh and nuanced perspective on one of the 20th century’s preeminent figures, suggesting that pleasure, beauty, and joy are as vital to the human spirit as the fight for justice and truth.

Rich in historical detail and personal reflection, Orwell's Roses offers a thoughtful and inspiring account that addresses some of today’s pressing political and environmental concerns. It is a moving testament to the enduring power of nature and art in the fight against despotism, and a reminder of the enduring influence of Orwell’s multifaceted legacy.

'I loved this book... An exhilarating romp through Orwell's life and times' - Margaret Atwood

'Outside my work the thing I care most about is gardening' – George Orwell