Book SummaryWifedom, by Anna Funder

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Wifedom

The life, ancestry, and her relationship with the distinguished writer George Orwell all pertain to Eileen O'Shaughnessy.

Eileen's upbringing and schooling occurred

Eileen, originating from a well-off Anglo-Irish lineage, was financially supported in her academic pursuits at Oxford. Despite her academic capabilities, she did not achieve a degree with first-class honors distinction. The obstacle drained her energy and imbued her with a feeling of pointlessness when considering any potential future efforts. Her scholarly achievements could have been impacted by gender bias, given that she completed her education in 1927, an era when the program did not grant first-class honors and the recognition of women as recipients of degrees was a relatively new occurrence.

The early stages of the romantic involvement between Eileen and Orwell.

Eileen's remarkable intellect and storytelling prowess enchanted Eric Blair, who is also known as George Orwell, upon their initial meeting. Despite suffering from persistent ill health and a relentless cough, Orwell's strikingly blue gaze left an indelible mark. Eileen regarded her joint efforts alongside Orwell as her subsequent project, often engaging in discussions about social inequalities, including the...

Wifedom Summary Eileen was actively involved and made significant contributions during the Spanish Civil War, coinciding with the time Orwell spent in Spain.

The book delves into the often overlooked yet substantial role played by Eileen, the wife of George Orwell, highlighting her active participation and firsthand experiences in the Spanish Civil War.

Eileen travels to Barcelona to offer her support to the Workers' Party of Marxist Unification.

Eileen seized an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution by journeying to Barcelona, Spain, where she supported her husband through work in John McNair's office and by supplying essentials such as tea, chocolate, and cigars. Eileen discovers that her responsibilities include managing the group's activities, ensuring smooth communication, and handling monetary dealings. Eileen navigated a treacherous landscape rife with agents of communism, where suspicion and apprehension were widespread. Eileen steadfastly awaited the return of her husband, the writer George Orwell, undeterred by the relentless pursuit of journalists and the looming danger posed by Stalin's operatives.

Organizes supplies, communications, and propaganda efforts for Orwell and other POUM members

Eileen meticulously facilitated the dispatch of packages from the combat zones to the residences of...

Wifedom Summary George Orwell maintained his literary pursuits even after Eileen's death.

Orwell grapples with profound sorrow and feelings of isolation following the passing of Eileen.

After his spouse Eileen passed away, George Orwell was deeply immersed in grief and felt an intense loneliness, which shaped his quest for a new companion and resonated in his later writings. After his troubles, he unintentionally called several women 'Eileen,' a slip that revealed the turmoil and hardship he endured due to her not being there. Orwell, known for his impassive and reticent demeanor, appeared to be crafting a story that omitted his wife's worries, and his absence during her critical moments was overlooked; he neither inquired about her well-being or her death, nor did he attend the inquest or review the coroner's conclusions.

Orwell regretted not showing his love for Eileen more often, particularly after their son Richard was born. Lettice and others who were close carried a weight of regret, suggesting that Eileen's needs might have been overlooked by Orwell, which indicates his personal turmoil. He longed for the companionship of a woman who would show concern for his well-being and offer him encouragement, highlighting his search for emotional...