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From the Publisher

The story of Orwell's life and the writing of Animal Farm is a fascinating one, and Peter Davison's authoritative edition, based on his research in the Orwell Archive, provides a uniquely detailed picture of the genesis of this landmark work.

The original inspiration for the novel came from Orwell's experiences in the Spanish Civil War, where he observed the way in which the ideals of the revolution were betrayed by those in power. He was particularly struck by the subjugation of the independent Marxist party, the POUM, by the Communists, and the portrayal of these events in the official propaganda. Back in London, Orwell began to plan a "fairy story" that would illustrate the corrupting nature of power.

Davison's edition includes Orwell's initial ideas and draft fragments, which show how the story of the animals on Manor Farm developed from these beginnings. We can see Orwell experimenting with different approaches, refining his characters and their allegories, and gradually shaping the narrative into its final, devastating form.

The text is accompanied by a wealth of contextual material that illuminates both the novel and its creator. There are facsimiles of Orwell's manuscripts and letters, as well as relevant documentary sources from the period, such as propaganda posters and press cuttings. These provide a vivid sense of the political climate in which Animal Farm was written, and the challenges Orwell faced in getting the book published.

Davison's extensive annotations and commentary offer invaluable insights into Orwell's creative process and the real-life inspirations behind the story. We learn, for example, how the character of the manipulative pig Napoleon was modeled on Stalin, and how the windmill episode reflects Orwell's views on the Soviet Union's industrialization drive.

This edition also includes a selection of Orwell's essays and other writings that provide further context and illuminate his wider political and literary concerns. The result is a comprehensive and illuminating study of one of the most influential novels of the twentieth century.

Animal Farm has rightly been celebrated as a masterpiece of storytelling, but Davison's edition reveals the full complexity of its genesis. It is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the novel's enduring power and significance.

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