George Orwell and Franz Kafka became two of the most influential writers of the 20th century and their ideas still resonate powerfully today.

In the first episode of Orwell vs Kafka, Ian Hislop and Helen Lewis explore the two adjectives that have arisen from the writing of both men. But what exactly do we mean by Orwellian or Kafkaesque?

Professor Carolin Duttlinger of Wadham College, Oxford and Orwell Biographer DJ Taylor are on hand to wrestle with definitions, while Ian and Helen also hear from New Yorker cartoonist Evan Lian, who made fun of people who use the terms endlessly.

They also find a vivid illustration of the very particular dystopias conjured up by both Orwell and Kafka in the form of the Post Office horizon scandal, hearing from Alan Bates about his experience of striving against injustice in a system that seemed stacked against him.

Producer: Tom Alban Show less