The Orwell essays

A collection of erudite and typically contrarian essays from the late great art critic.

Writing for the Evening Standard, but ever unwilling to tow the line, Brian gives uncompromising, witty and cultured opinions on the hot topics of his day, many of which are startlingly relevant now.

Written while columnist for the Evening Standard from 1996 to 2002, Brian Sewell's Orwell Prize winning essays tackle issues as diverse as battery farming and pornography as well as subjects still at the fore of public discourse such as housing and immigration.

He wages a veritable one man war against the political and social evils of the time and casts his discerning eye over the tenures of both John Major and Tony Blair, ever the sceptic as the latter was swept to power on a wave of optimism.Controversial and idiosyncratic throughout, his opinions are backed up by a vast well of knowledge and his humanitarian instincts shine through in diatribes on attitudes towards homelessness and child labour, among other causes.

Written with his trademark eloquence and humour, this collection celebrates his extraordinary career and marks a year on from his sad death at the age of 84.