A Clergyman's Daughter

A Clergyman's Daughter is a novel by George Orwell, first published in 1935. It was Orwell's second novel and his third book overall. The story follows Dorothy Hare, the clergyman's daughter named in the title, whose life is thrown off balance after an attack of amnesia. From there, the book looks at what happens when a person rooted in routine and duty is suddenly forced into a much less stable version of everyday life, without relying on a fast-moving plot.

This is a good fit for readers who want Orwell in a more experimental mode, with an unusual structure and one chapter written entirely in dramatic form. It may appeal to people who like social fiction with a clear eye on identity, class, and habit, but prefer a steadier pace and a more restrained mood. The book sits between realist novel and formal experiment, so it can also work for readers who know Orwell mainly for his political writing and want to see a different side of him.