Coming Up For Air By George Orwell

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Reflection

20200113

20240108 (BBC7)
20240109 (BBC7)

An overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life while reflecting on the country he finds himself living in.

George Orwell's novel - written in 1939 - was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War.

It offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England.

Abridged in ten parts by Ellin Stein.

Producer: Clive Brill

George Bowling, an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life.

An overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life - reflecting on where he is living. Read by Tim McInnerny.

George Orwell's novel, written in 1939. Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

George Orwell's novel about an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveying his life. Read by Tim McInnerny.

Early Years

20200114

20240109 (BBC7)
20240110 (BBC7)

George Bowling is a married insurance salesman.

Now middle-aged and, overweight, he looks back to his early years - from the end of the Boer War to the beginning of the First World War.

George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

Producer: Clive Brill

George Bowling recalls his early years up to the First World War.

George Bowling recalls his early years. From the end of the Boer War to the start of the First World War. Read by Tim McInnerny.

George Bowling, a middle-aged, overweight, married insurance salesman, tells us of his early years, from the end of the Boer war to the beginning of the First World War.

Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England.

George Bowling, tells us of his early years up to the First World War.

A middle-aged man's early years, from the end of the Boer war to the beginning of the First World War. Read by Tim McInnerny.

School Days

20200115

20240110 (BBC7)
20240111 (BBC7)

George Bowling tells us about his school days and how he tried to join his first gang with its strange initiation ceremonies.

His brother Joe is extremely reluctant to have him.

George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

Producer: Clive Brill

George Bowling tells us about his school days and how he tried to join his first gang.

The school days of George Bowling and the strange initiation ceremonies of his first gang. Read by Tim McInnerny.

George Bowling tells us about his school days and how he tried to join his first gang with its strange initiation ceremonies. His brother Joe is extremely reluctant to have him.

Fishing

20200116

20240111 (BBC7)
20240112 (BBC7)

George Bowling tells us about his first love, fishing and how he almost caught a huge carp in the First World War.

George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

Producer: Clive Brill

George Bowling tells us about his first love, fishing.

Fishing is George Bowling's first love. He almost caught a huge carp during the First World War. Read by Tim McInnerny.

First Love

20200117

20240112 (BBC7)
20240113 (BBC7)

George Bowling tells us about his first love, Elsie and his first fumbling attempts to get beyond a kiss.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

George Bowling tells us about his first love, Elsie.

George Bowling reveals all about his first love and his first attempts to get beyond a kiss. Read by Tim McInnerny.

George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939.

Producer: Clive Brill

Job

20200120

20240115 (BBC7)
20240116 (BBC7)

George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War after a chance meeting with an old army commander.

It seems he's headed for insurance.

George Orwell's novel - written in 1939 - was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Abridged in ten parts by Ellin Stein.

Producer: Clive Brill

George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War.

George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War by a chance meeting. Read by Tim McInnerny.

Old Friend

20200121

20240116 (BBC7)
20240117 (BBC7)

George Bowling tells us about going to meet his old friend Porteous, a learned man who nevertheless seems to be in denial about the forthcoming Second World War.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

George Bowling tells us about going to meet his old friend Porteous.

George tells us about his learned friend who seems in denial about the impending Second World War. Read by Tim McInnerny.

Lower Binfield

20200122

20240117 (BBC7)
20240118 (BBC7)

George Bowling tells us about his visit to his old stamping ground, Lower Binfield, where nothing seems to be quite the same as he remembers.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

George Bowling tells us about his visit to his old stamping ground Lower Binfield.

George Bowling tells us about his visit to an old stamping ground, where things seemed to have changed. Read by Tim McInnerny.

Ponder

20200123

20240118 (BBC7)
20240119 (BBC7)

George Bowling reflects further on the town where he used to live, Lower Binfield. He makes an expedition to the pond which used to be full of huge carp.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

George Bowling reflects further on the town where he used to live, with an expedition to a pond. Read by Tim McInnerny.

Sos

20200124

20240119 (BBC7)
20240120 (BBC7)

After his trip to his old home at Lower Binfield, and after what he thinks is an SOS call, George Bowling goes home to face his wife.

Abridged by Ellin Stein.

After an SOS call, George Bowling goes home to face his wife.

After his trip to his old home and a possible SOS call, George goes home to face his wife. Concluded by Tim McInnerny.

OMNI-01

20200119

20240114 (BBC7)
20240115 (BBC7)

An overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life while reflecting on the country he finds himself living in.

George Orwell's novel - written in 1939 - was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Ellin Stein.

Producer: Clive Brill

George Bowling, an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life.

George Orwell's story of a married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveying his life.

George Bowling, an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life. Read by Tim McInnerny.

OMNI-02

20200126

20240121 (BBC7)
20240122 (BBC7)

George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War after a chance meeting with an old army commander. It seems he's headed for insurance.

Written in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England.

Omnibus of the last five of ten episodes abridged by Ellin Stein.

A Brill production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in January 2019

George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War.

George Orwell's story of a married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveying his life.

George Bowling tells us how he got a job after WWI by a chance meeting with an old army commander. Read by Tim McInnerny.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Reflection	20200113	20240108 (BBC7) 20240109 (BBC7)	An overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life while reflecting on the country he finds himself living in. George Orwell's novel - written in 1939 - was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War. It offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged in ten parts by Ellin Stein. Producer: Clive Brill George Bowling, an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life. An overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life - reflecting on where he is living. Read by Tim McInnerny. George Orwell's novel, written in 1939. Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged by Ellin Stein. George Orwell's novel about an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveying his life. Read by Tim McInnerny.
02	Early Years	20200114	20240109 (BBC7) 20240110 (BBC7)	George Bowling is a married insurance salesman. Now middle-aged and, overweight, he looks back to his early years - from the end of the Boer War to the beginning of the First World War. George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939. Abridged by Ellin Stein. Producer: Clive Brill George Bowling recalls his early years up to the First World War. George Bowling recalls his early years. From the end of the Boer War to the start of the First World War. Read by Tim McInnerny. George Bowling, a middle-aged, overweight, married insurance salesman, tells us of his early years, from the end of the Boer war to the beginning of the First World War. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. George Bowling, tells us of his early years up to the First World War. A middle-aged man's early years, from the end of the Boer war to the beginning of the First World War. Read by Tim McInnerny.
03	School Days	20200115	20240110 (BBC7) 20240111 (BBC7)	George Bowling tells us about his school days and how he tried to join his first gang with its strange initiation ceremonies. His brother Joe is extremely reluctant to have him. George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939. Abridged by Ellin Stein. Producer: Clive Brill George Bowling tells us about his school days and how he tried to join his first gang. The school days of George Bowling and the strange initiation ceremonies of his first gang. Read by Tim McInnerny. George Bowling tells us about his school days and how he tried to join his first gang with its strange initiation ceremonies. His brother Joe is extremely reluctant to have him. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England.
04	Fishing	20200116	20240111 (BBC7) 20240112 (BBC7)	George Bowling tells us about his first love, fishing and how he almost caught a huge carp in the First World War. George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939. Abridged by Ellin Stein. Producer: Clive Brill George Bowling tells us about his first love, fishing. Fishing is George Bowling's first love. He almost caught a huge carp during the First World War. Read by Tim McInnerny. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England.
05	First Love	20200117	20240112 (BBC7) 20240113 (BBC7)	George Bowling tells us about his first love, Elsie and his first fumbling attempts to get beyond a kiss. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged by Ellin Stein. George Bowling tells us about his first love, Elsie. George Bowling reveals all about his first love and his first attempts to get beyond a kiss. Read by Tim McInnerny. George Orwell's book was first published before war broke out in 1939. Producer: Clive Brill
06	Job	20200120	20240115 (BBC7) 20240116 (BBC7)	George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War after a chance meeting with an old army commander. It seems he's headed for insurance. George Orwell's novel - written in 1939 - was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War. It offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged in ten parts by Ellin Stein. Producer: Clive Brill George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War. George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War by a chance meeting. Read by Tim McInnerny.
07	Old Friend	20200121	20240116 (BBC7) 20240117 (BBC7)	George Bowling tells us about going to meet his old friend Porteous, a learned man who nevertheless seems to be in denial about the forthcoming Second World War. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged by Ellin Stein. George Bowling tells us about going to meet his old friend Porteous. George tells us about his learned friend who seems in denial about the impending Second World War. Read by Tim McInnerny.
08	Lower Binfield	20200122	20240117 (BBC7) 20240118 (BBC7)	George Bowling tells us about his visit to his old stamping ground, Lower Binfield, where nothing seems to be quite the same as he remembers. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged by Ellin Stein. George Bowling tells us about his visit to his old stamping ground Lower Binfield. George Bowling tells us about his visit to an old stamping ground, where things seemed to have changed. Read by Tim McInnerny.
09	Ponder	20200123	20240118 (BBC7) 20240119 (BBC7)	George Bowling reflects further on the town where he used to live, Lower Binfield. He makes an expedition to the pond which used to be full of huge carp. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged by Ellin Stein. George Bowling reflects further on the town where he used to live, with an expedition to a pond. Read by Tim McInnerny.
10	Sos	20200124	20240119 (BBC7) 20240120 (BBC7)	After his trip to his old home at Lower Binfield, and after what he thinks is an SOS call, George Bowling goes home to face his wife. Written by George Orwell in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Abridged by Ellin Stein. After an SOS call, George Bowling goes home to face his wife. After his trip to his old home and a possible SOS call, George goes home to face his wife. Concluded by Tim McInnerny.
OMNI-01		20200119	20240114 (BBC7) 20240115 (BBC7)	An overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life while reflecting on the country he finds himself living in. George Orwell's novel - written in 1939 - was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War. It offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Omnibus of the first five of ten parts abridged by Ellin Stein. Producer: Clive Brill George Bowling, an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life. George Orwell's story of a married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveying his life. George Bowling, an overweight, married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveys his life. Read by Tim McInnerny.
OMNI-02		20200126	20240121 (BBC7) 20240122 (BBC7)	George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War after a chance meeting with an old army commander. It seems he's headed for insurance. Written in 1939, Coming Up For Air was published just before the outbreak of the Second World War and offers premonitions of the impending conflict with images of an idyllic Thames-side Edwardian-era childhood at the same time as taking a rather dim view of capitalism and its effects on the best of rural England. Omnibus of the last five of ten episodes abridged by Ellin Stein. A Brill production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in January 2019 George Bowling tells us how he got a job after the First World War. George Orwell's story of a married, middle-aged insurance salesman surveying his life. George Bowling tells us how he got a job after WWI by a chance meeting with an old army commander. Read by Tim McInnerny.