My very own French reception is fast approaching – my book Orwell à Paris will be published on the 23rd of April.
In 1935, George Orwell’s first book was set for French Publication in July. Nicolas Ragonneau has written an article on how the French press reacted to Orwell’s debut La Vache Enragée…
In the autumn of 1934, days before the publication of Burmese Days in New York, George Orwell penned the introduction to the French translation of the book that launched his literary career. His introductory text was slotted in between Panaït Istrati’s preface and chapter one of La Vache enragée. Orwells’ introduction translated back into English…
The moment has arrived: on the 25th of April, I’ll be at the Hotel Littéraire Le Swann, Paris, for the launch of my book, Orwell à Paris which will have been published 2 days earlier in France by Exils Éditions.
Tricky questions & the signing of books will be dealt with simultaneously…
See you there. 19h.
If Eric Blair had come to Paris to broaden his outlook, the Hotel at 6 Rue du Pot de Fer fitted the bill perfectly. The Hotel des Bons Amis* (renamed L’Hotel des 3 Moineaux in the book) catered for a demographic that was largely made up of immigrants and those passing through.
An extract from Chapter 2 of ‘Orwell in Paris – Down & Out with the Russain Captain’.
We follow over Eric Blair’s shoulder in 1928 as he discovers the streets around his hotel.
A microfilm extract from the Paris police archives shows that Eric Blair registered with the Paris police on the 20th of June 1928. It appears to be in his own hand. He gives his address & (not for the last time) his incorrect date of birth. The “SP” just under his nationality stands for “Sans Papiers” meaning he had no, or at least presented no, ID papers.