An Unsocial Socialist (A Humorous Take on the Socialism of Victorian England)

"An Unsocial Socialist," Shaw's last written novel was published in 1887, having been written in 1883. The tale begins with a humorous description of student antics at a girl's school then changes focus to a seemingly uncouth labourer who, it soon develops, is really a wealthy gentleman in hiding from his overly affectionate wife. Tinged with self-satirical overtones this novel shows both the positive and negative aspects of Socialism in a comically paradoxical manner. Excerpt: "I am expected to be something more than mortal. Everyone else is encouraged to complain, and to be weak and silly. But I must have no feeling. I must be always in the right. Everyone else may be homesick, or huffed, or in low spirits. I must have no nerves, and must keep others laughing all day long." George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950) was an Irish playwright, essayist, novelist and short story writer and wrote more than 60 plays. He is the only person to have been awarded both a Nobel Prize in Literature (1925) and an Academy Award (1938).