Burning Down George Orwell's House - Andrew Ervin

Burning Down George Orwell’s House is a novel of big ideas and lots of fun. This seems to be a rare combination today. Many current novels are either painfully self-conscious, or romps of destructive characters careening through life. So, hats off to Andrew Ervin who has created a well balanced read in his debut hovel. Ray Welter, a young advertising exec, burns out with pangs of guilt over his successful campaign that effectively used social media. A George Orwell fan, Ray connects the dots and believes that the current intrusive iteration of social media has placed us squarely in 1984. With his marriage falling apart, he heads for the remote Scottish island of Jura to live in George Orwell’s cabin & ponder his life until his money runs out. He doesn’t get a warm welcome from the locals who are intent on preserving their history and culture from the likes of him. Enter many colorful characters. Did I mention that Ray likes Scotch whiskey a little too much? If you are a Scotch aficionado, you could read this book just for the reflections on single malts.  His old boss is recruiting him hard for a new firm, as Ray signs his divorce papers. Ray does return home to Chicago, and opts for a simpler life, although he’s still finding himself. Well, so am I.