The BBC has produced a series of six half-hour radio shows exploring the massive cultural influence of George Orwell and Franz Kafka.

Presented by journalists Ian Hislop and Helen Lewis, the programmes begin by discussing what we mean by Orwellian and Kafkaesque, and go on to consider issues such as surveillance, truth and feelings of powerlessness.

They are thought-provoking pieces, including interviews with experts on all things Big Brother. Listen FREE on BBC i-Player here.

If you’ve never read Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, which was first published 75 years ago in June, check out the BBC adaptation being aired to accompany ‘Orwell vs Kafka’.