That’s right, Such, Such Were the Joys is now available in all good bookshops! Hopefully it should be in some comic shops too. Hooray! You can buy it directly from Pluto Press here.
I’m also doing a couple of events to coincide with the book’s release…
First of all I’ll be speaking to Alex Fitch at Cartoon County this Monday 27th September at 7pm (BST). The interview will be broadcast online via Zoom and is free to attend. You can also ask me questions and join in the discussion! Click below to book a FREE place:
Secondly, I’ll be running a comics workshop inspired by the graphic novel at Jubilee Library on Saturday 9th October at 11am (BST). This is an in-person workshop aimed at 13-19 year olds, all materials supplied and again, totally free! Book a FREE place on my workshop below:
For those who don’t know, Such, Such Were the Joys is an autobiographical essay by George Orwell about his experiences whilst at St Cyprian’s boarding school between 1911 and 1916.
He recounts the ugly realities of the regime to which pupils were subjected in the name of class prejudice, hierarchy and imperial destiny. As Orwell earned his place through scholarship rather than wealth, he was picked on by both staff and richer students.
Comics writer Sean Michael Wilson and I have now adapted the essay into graphic novel form - with the hope of introducing Orwell’s writing to a new audience while offering a new visual dimension for those who already know it well.
Such, Such Were the Joys is being supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.