Today is the 118th birthday of the little boy who’s first word was “beastly” and became George Orwell.  For some reason, they showed the animated version of Animal Farm in school.  I remember finding it exceptionally disturbing, which is the correct response, but I also remember thinking that it was a strange thing to show grade school children.  The first time I read 1984 was in 1984.  My grandmother was the librarian at our local public library at the time and it was one of the most popular books of the year, so she said I needed to read it quickly because people were waiting.  I have read it since and think I probably missed a lot the first time around.  I have included full length videos of both below.  The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss than he left.

Radio Play:  NBC University Theater Nineteen Eighty-Four - Aired August 27, 1949 - Staring David Niven

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://waldina.com/2021/06/25/happy-118th-birthday-george-orwell/

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