Monday 12 April 2021: As the UK tentatively emerges from lockdown, The Orwell Foundation is marking the 75th anniversary of George Orwell's essay 'Some Thoughts on the Common Toad' with a short film digging into one of Orwell's most characteristic works, one which sets Orwell's 'abiding love for nature' against 'the authoritarian forces of left and right which had the postwar world in their grasp'. 'Some Thoughts' is read by 2020 Orwell Prize for Political Writing winner Kate Clanchy, and features interviews with Orwell's son Richard Blair, his biographer, DJ Taylor, as well as an exclusive sight of a set of recently rediscovered Orwell letters. The film is accompanied by a limited edition pamphlet reproducing the essay, with unique creative and critical introductions from Richard Blair and DJ Taylor, a copy of which will be gifted to every author and journalist longlisted for the 2021 Orwell Prizes.

'Some Thoughts on the Common Toad' is available to read for free, along with a selection of Orwell's most notable pieces and more information about the Orwell Prizes on the Foundation website; www.orwellfoundation.com. Kate Clanchy won The Orwell Prize for Political Writing 2020 for her memoir 'Some Kids I Taught And What They Taught Me' (Picador), described by the judges as 'moving, funny, full of love and offer sparkling insights into modern British society'.

('Common Toad' illustration credit Martin Rowson)

With thanks to Seth Pimlott