37 pages 1 hour read

George Orwell

The Road to Wigan Pier

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1937

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell details the author's firsthand experiences in early 20th-century Britain, depicting the challenging lives of working-class communities. Orwell stays in a dilapidated boarding house, explores dangerous mines, and critiques the misinformation about miners' wages. He argues that socialism is essential for alleviating poverty and combating emerging fascism in 1930s Europe. Topics of poverty, exploitation, and harsh working conditions are prevalent.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

George Orwell's The Road to Wigan Pier offers a penetrating look into the harsh realities of working-class life in 1930s England, combining vivid reportage with personal reflection. Reviewers praise its compelling narrative and social critique but note some controversial views and dated perspectives. Overall, it remains a powerful, thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Road to Wigan Pier?

A reader who would enjoy The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell is typically interested in social commentary, history, and class issues. They often appreciate works like The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell. This reader values detailed, first-hand accounts of working-class struggles and economic inequality.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Social Justice

Class

History: European

Genre

British Literature

Journalism

Classic Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Society: Class

Society: Community