This is one of those catch-all biographies that attempts to throw in everything including the kitchen sink and fails in all regards. The author, D. J. Taylor attempts to connect Orwell's writings with his life but spends so much time on trying to find little kernels of truth in the authors mundane diary entries that he accomplishes almost nothing. Since Taylor has no ability to write critically about Orwell's works he should have focused on the details of Orwell's life which are easier to record. Also one gets the feeling that Taylor isn't a fan of Orwell's writing and has little simpathy for his weaknesses in character. So why write the book?