Although probably best known for his fictional writings, Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell's
investigative accounts on the living conditions of the working poor are spectacular. They give tremendous insight into
his more popular works.
The Road to Wigan Pier was written by George Orwell and published in 1937. It is a sociological analysis of living conditions in the industrial north of England before World War II that was commissioned by the Left Book Club in January 1936. Orwell received a £500 advance - two years' income for him at the time - and spent the period from 31 January to 30 March
1936 living in Barnsley, Sheffield and Wigan researching the book.
