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Aldous Huxley v George Orwell: Which British writer is the most influential?

Huxley v George

Two writers enter, one writer leaves! Well, not literally – especially in this case, given our aversion to exhumation and necromancy. We’re less interested in post-mortem fisticuffs and more concerned with some high falutin’ comparing and contrasting. So, stick around while we pit two of the twentieth century’s most renowned dystopian novelists, George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, against one another by checking out their books’ popularity, the cultural and social consequences of their works at the time, and how their books have since gone on to change the world… Brace yourself!

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The 13 greatest opening lines from novels of the 1950s

Best1950snovels

There are many things that make us read the first page of a book. It can be an author’s reputation, a favourable review, a recommendation by a trusted friend or a breathtaking cover. Yet all these pale into insignificance compared against the importance of a wonderful opening line. A book, of course, won’t stand or fall on the very first line of prose, but a really good first line can do so much to establish that crucial sense of voice. It’s the first thing that acquaints the reader, which makes them eager and enlists them for the long haul. So there’s incredible power in it, when it says, Come in here. You want to know about this and someone does just that.

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10 retro road trip novels guaranteed to give you itchy feet

besttroadtripnovels

A tattered old map, a flask of strong coffee, a set of wheels and a cassette of hardcore power ballads (ahem) – oh, how we love a road-trip! And as for company, whether we’re camped on the roadside or boarded up in a seedy motel, there’s nothing better than a good book. Happily, in the last fifty years or so, many of our literary heroes have taken to the highways. Here’s a quick look at just a few of our favourite novels written in homage to adventures, both good and bad.

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