His best-known novels, Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, are two of the most famous, well-quoted and influential political satires ever written. The other novels in this volume are also concerned with individuals at odds with repressive institutions: the corrupt imperialism of Burmese Days, disaffection with materialistic society in Keep the Aspidistra Flying, the perils of modern suburban living in Coming Up for Air and the down-and-out girls in A Clergyman's Daughter.

They all display Orwell's deep understanding of human nature, his biting humour and great compassion.