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What are readers saying about 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four?
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-02 03:38:17.
(Language: English)
 
George Orwell (1948): 1984Perhaps my thoughts after reading a book includes "this was a strong read" and similar phrases. A simple test of the strength of such thoughts about strength of contents is to check a week later, or even later, if these thoughts remain as strongly with me as on the day of finishing the book. Using such a test I'm sure there are many cases where I would be forced to revise my opinion, in the direction of "well, perhaps it was not quite as strong, after all". But for "1984" the powerful strength of it surely and absolutely remains in me. This long paragraph therefore has the purpose of reaching its honest and deeply perceived conclusion "this was a strong read". I do recall most aspects of the book with absurd accuracy after all the years that have flown by since I read it (once upon a time, several years before 1984). The softcover Norwegian edition book I once read had the memorable phrase "Må leses av alle tenkende og våkne mennesker" placed on its back cover. Indeed, I agree. Krig er fred. Frihet er trelldom. Uvitenhet er styrke. And intellectual freedom is honesty in concert with being allowed to claim that two plus two equal four. In a footnote I put in that I disagree strongly with the reading and interpretation presented in "Morgenbladet" June 2007 by Espen Grønlie. 
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-12 06:16:58.
(Language: English)
Its ok but its a book written more to get ideas across than anything else so its interesting and I suppose it has some good points,but some parts of it just drag pointless on and on; going into detailed explainations of something you dont want really want hear about, and that you already got in the first place!(especially the chapter with Golstein's book! uugh I swear every time I tried to read that bit, it would find myself several pages on, not having taken in a singles word!) Also the characters really let you down! what made me keep reading was to see what would happen to them and see if they would somehow manage to beat the totalitarian system (that and the fact I had to read it for A-level! lol). I mean you would at least hope they would die fighting for what the believed in! but no! both the main characters end up being tortured and brain-washed into believing in the system! its really annoying!sorry rant over lol
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Tyler posted a review at 2009-03-06 01:57:13.
(Language: English)
This was not the easiest book to get through for me, especially compared to Animal Farm which is the only other Orwell Novel I have read. However, I did quite enjoy it. I will not try to sum it up (if you don't already have an idea of what it is about you could find a much better description than I could give), but I will say it is definitely a must read. The second half especially was quite intriguing, more like a gruesome train wreck at some parts where the only thing keeping me reading was the sheer fact that it had to get better or to see where it would finally end. I agree that there are some parallels to today’s society especially looking back at the Bush Regime and those who not only supported it, but also asserted its legitimacy and integrity (If I didn’t know any better I would think the newspeak words were created just for such people). I only hope that our society can progress in a better direction and not be doomed to always follow the cyclical swapping out of one evil for another which this book discusses; or worse. I am actually going to, and am looking forward to, reading the appendix and the afterword!!!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-02-26 04:25:05.
(Language: English)
This is arguably the most influential book of the 20th century. Even people who have never read it know of big brother and room 101. Various parts of this book have influened everyone from the highest politions to popular culture.It is also scary how true many parts of the book have become. It may be that the book did not predict the levels of technology we have today, but in a society where we are seen on camera dozens of times a day many could argue some of it's main points have come true.It's interesting that the Government thinks that there always needs to be an enemy to keep the population in line, and people quickly forget who the old enemy even was. Think Americas hatred of communism, quickly followed by their hatred of terrorism. The fact that the country is at war is also used as the reason for constant surveilance.It can be even argued that Orwells ideas of Newspeak can be seen today as Governments try to twist our language and make certain words and phrases taboo, if it is something against their own policies.Ok, so I don't think that the totalatarian state that Orwell predicts will become a reality, but certain parts of his nightmare vision have and increasingly will become reality. The book certainly make me think hard about certain Government ideas in ways I may not of thought about if I had not read this book. The good thing about this book is that every time a Government "big brother" policy is thought up, this book is used as a counter argument. I am certain that if this book had not been written that there could be even more Government surveilance around today than there already is.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-18 05:17:09.
(Language: English)
I thought this book was quite powerful, and in a lot of ways, prophetic. I think the rise of totalitarianism and constant monitoring as a reaction to terrorism is inevitable, although I hope that I am wrong. Looking at the gains made in the suppression of liberty in the name of security since 9/11 makes the kind of society depicted seem increasingly feasible. Keep people afraid and disorientated, at war with some undefined and fluid enemy, today Eurasia, tomorrow Iraq... In sydney over APEC, I was told that the central business district and many tourist areas were sealed off for anyone without photo ID. Now, I've never had any, and am unlikely to. I've never travelled, and can't drive, and am unlikely to do either. To get photo ID, i went to the post office. They said they could give me a passport but I needed photo ID from the RTA, who handle driver's licences and so forth. I went to the RTA, who said I needed a passport. I realised that without photo ID, without ever having a moment I could point to as transition, I had become an uncitizen. I read this book as a boy and brooded over it, but dismissed it as it depicted an inherently self-destructive society, one that assumed humanity was the only game in town. Change is coming, regardless of how we spin reality to ourselves and each other: global warming, nuclear wars, plagues, asteroids... only by staying sane can society adapt to our true enemies. A 1984 type society might be effective at crushing human opposition, but is hopeless otherwise. Now I don't think that's sufficient reason to prevent it's emergence.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-10-11 05:14:11.
(Language: English)
1984 is viewed by many in our generation as something as a relic and a cliché. It is a relic because of its age and its lessons about the perils of bureaucratic totalitarianism seem rather obvious. It is a cliché because we have read this sort of dystopian novel so many times before, and its themes (like in that awful recent V for Vendetta movie) are recycled year after year. But a historical perspective is in order. This novel, along with We, Fahrenheit 451, and Brave New World, is the beginning of this theme; and such a theme’s perennial re-usage is, I think, is mandatory for keeping our little project of humanity humming along. As originators of a genre, they are important works. For it seems that each generation has a habit of forgetting some (or many) of the lessons hard learned by the prior. From the blatant oppression in states like North Korea, to the more subtle institutional pressures we experience in our own country, the world is rife with images that could be directly lifted from 1984 and the other dystopic novels. While not paragons of high art, they remain frightfully relevant; so perhaps we ought to keep on reading.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-27 01:53:37.
(Language: English)
An amazing book, though frankly terrifying and quite horrific. The plot centers around Winston, every day guy in totalitarian society ruled by the Party whose control is absolute. People live alone, cut off from one another with their only loyalties to the ever watching Big Brother, leader of the Party. Mere obedience is not enough, you must completely surrender yourself and are trained to do so from birth, even a negative thought in regard to the regime will be spotted and is punishable by death. For the last 7 years doubt about the Party has begun to build in Winston's mind and so gradually, one tiny act at a time, he goes about starting a personal revolution which will ultimately lead to his demise. 1984 is an astounding observation on power which really goes into depth on the subject. Though written around 1950 I think, it feels hugely contemporary and raises many issues that can be related to our own lives, making them all the more poignant. Read it, for so many reasons.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-05-25 10:27:43.
(Language: English)
I love this book so much. It was my source of inside jokes with my friends for half a year after we read it. It's so well written and it's such a great social commentary on government control, and social classes and a great look into human psychology. It is also a pivotal read when it comes to discussing politics because somehow or other a reference will eventually be made about this book, and unless you've read it you'll have no idea what people are talking about when they mention thing like "Big Brother". My favorite theme in the entire book though was dealing with sanity and what happens to the sane person in the insane world. It doesn't matter how accurate or logical you are, if all of society's convinced that "2+2=5" and you say it's four, you become the abnormal one.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-10-09 02:31:53.
(Language: English)
There is a reason why this book is classified as a classic. To be more exact, there is a TON of reasons why this book is classified as a classic. It is more emotional than Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale, but strangely more expository as well. Imagery, details, concept, opening and ending, poem, romance, characters... in short, everthing in the story is open to interpretation. This book needs to be re-read numerous times in order to grasp its myraid of nuances, and truly deserves a detailed analysis. Incredible. Even if you don't study writing, as a novel this book still succeeds tremendously. It will suck you into a scary and freakishly realistic world (all the more so in our era) which will make you question your basic political beliefs. While it may be comforting to know that this is a work of fiction, the ideas it presents should be thought about as it is not too far off from our time... It's compelling, it has a moving romance, its an epic tale, it's powerfully written, and it is a novel. Do I need to say more? READ IT. P.S. This book is a bit of a grind, and doesn't actually have a fun payoff at the end, so if you are the sort to HATE bad endings, avoid it. Otherwise, trust me, it's all worth it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-10-26 04:43:34.
(Language: English)
Written long before 1984, Orwell gives a chilling glimpse of a possible future (1984 to be exact) under a totalitarian government. The story itself is chilling. The degree of accuracy in predicting the future is chilling to the bone. The story line and the details are fictional, but the picture of complete government control is a real and present danger. The turning point in the story occurs when the main character is tortured and broken by the "ministry of truth" to let truth be whatever the government says it is. However, the real tragic climax occurs when the "ministry of love" tortures him not only into a broken conversion of mind against his convictions, but betrayal of his love for Julia. His passionate plea, "Do it to Julia!" have haunted me for the 30 years since I first read this masterpiece. If anyone wants to discuss this book with me, that is the phrase I'm interested in most. The political ramifications are one thing. But that line is the crux of the book to me.
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NanE posted a review at 2009-04-17 01:19:13.
(Language: English)
So true, so current that it hurts! One of the books that times can't change unless we start learning from our mistakes. But depends on how many of us are willing to truly open our eyes and see where we are heading to, by repeating the errors of the past into our present and maybe future. At the moment I m writing these lines, into my mind are popping some images from Gaza and images from the Holocaust. Here is the link: http://www.tubel.ro/israel-vs-nazism-trist-dar-adevarat/ That comes to show that, maybe, Orwell's 1984 is even closer to us than we think. As we speak, our lives are under the "magic" of television, internet and we are already using abreviations in order to describe our feelings. Feelings that are bigger and stronger than "I luv/ <3 u", or "soulm8", "needu2nite". Or they should be.When was the last time you slowed down to eat dinner with thgthe family, or went on a trip,detached yourself from worries and truly lived your life?
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Nancy posted a review at 2009-08-28 10:21:14.
(Language: English)
So true, so current that it hurts! One of the books that times can't change unless we start learning from our mistakes. But depends on how many of us are willing to truly open our eyes and see where we are heading to, by repeating the errors of the past into our present and maybe future. At the moment I m writing these lines, into my mind are popping some images from Gaza and images from the Holocaust. Here is the link: http://www.tubel.ro/israel-vs-nazism-trist-dar-adevarat/ That comes to show that, maybe, Orwell's 1984 is even closer to us than we think. As we speak, our lives are under the "magic" of television, internet and we are already using abreviations in order to describe our feelings. Feelings that are bigger and stronger than "I luv/ <3 u", or "soulm8", "needu2nite". Or they should be.When was the last time you slowed down to eat dinner with thgthe family, or went on a trip,detached yourself from worries and truly lived your life?
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-01-09 01:52:19.
(Language: English)
I have discovered that my telescreen has an unsight spot behind a bookshelf in the Recdep office, so while I have the chance I will write a review of 1984 hidden from the prying eyes of the Party. Of course my speakwrite is on the fritz so I will have to write this review by hand in my journal. The book is about Winston Smith, a fellow worker here at the Ministry of Truth in Airstrip One, and his attempts to find out about the Brotherhood. For me the book is doublethink, as it was both good and ungood. I liked reading about Winston's adventures but, because of his outrageous claims against the Party, the entire time I was reading the book I was worried I may get arrested by the Thought Police for commiting crimethink. If I were to resort to duckspeak, I would tell you that the book was doubleplusungood and to throw your copy into the memory hole, but that is untrue. I am not into science fiction, but 1984 was still an enjoyable read. Well, I had better finish this up. It is almost time for Physical Jerks and after that I need to alter the chocarat (chocolate ration) to show that it is up to 15 grams per week. That's about a third of a Hershey Bar now! I also need to make some "Down With Eastasia" posters for Hate Week. We've always been at war with Eastasia. At any rate, read 1984 but remember Big Brother is watching!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-05-28 04:12:53.
(Language: English)
Ce livre m'a stupéfiée par sa clairvoyance politique. Bien entendu tout y est poussé à l'extrême : la surveillance, la propagande, l'enseignement, le langage etc... Mais cette oeuvre, censée décrire un régime communiste des années 40 poussé au paroxysme, aujourd'hui prend un autre sens et n'est pas sans rappeler l'autre grand empire, celui qui a survécu : les Etats-Unis. On notera un grand nombre de similitudes pour un pays qui se veut leader de la démocratie : la surveillance et la délation constatés durant la chasse aux sorcières du Mc Carthisme et plus récemment l'après 11 Septembre ; la propagande pro-américaine et pro-républicaine via les médias et le cinéma avec ses super héros américains qui sauvent systématiquement le monde en envoyant une bombe atomique, l'affligeante scène du cinéma renvoie aux films où les américains se donnent le droit de tuer des multitudes de "méchants" sans remords comme s'ils n'avaient ni femme ni enfants ni existence réelle ; le changement du passé et du présent par la manipulation des médias et les mensonges du gouvernement comme la poursuite d'un terroriste qui a mené à une histoire d'armes de destruction massives dans un autre pays qui n'ont jamais existé mais ont justifié une guerre, il n'y a aucune logique, on nous fait avaler n'importe quoi ; La certitude absolue inculquée au peuple d'oceania ressemble fortement à cette conviction toute américaine d'être la lumière du monde (c'est dans la constitution), seuls à avoir raison et d'être toujours dans son bon droit, des pilgrimm fathers jusqu'au récent "vous êtes pour nous ou contre nous" du président ; les guerres à répétition qui font fonctionner le lobby de l'armement et l'économie, des guerres encore sans fondement ; la lutte pour les ressources humaines dans le livre mais énergétiques aujourd'hui ; les zones de non droit où l'on torture sans être inquiété comme certaine prisons située sur une ile ; pour en revenir à l'éducation et aux livres d'histoire qu'on remet à jour, je pense aux républicains extrémistes qui souhaitent effacer le darwinisme pour enseigner aux enfants Adam et Eve en cours de biologie ; la sexualité bannie me semble si étroitement liée aux fous de dieu républicains qui pronent l'abolition du droit à l'avortement. Ce big brother me fait bien plus penser à l'oncle Sam qu'au petit père des peuples. N'est-il pas profondément paradoxal qu'une oeuvre censée décrire les dérives du communisme peignent finalement le portrait du capitalisme sauvage ? Il en sort qu'en réalité, il ne s'agit pas des risques d'une politique particulière mais de toutes dans la mesure où elles sont faites par les hommes qui sont par nature assoiffés de pouvoir, prêts à toutes les bassesses pour asseoir leur supériorité, ces élites qui affament pour plus d'argent. Qu'on ne s'y trompe pas, il n'y a pas une catégorie de personnes, celle qui contrôle, qui se conduit de manière inhumaine mais c'est la quasi globalité de l'humanité qui se comporte ainsi du moment qu'elle en a le pouvoir. Je crois que lorsque Winston meurt, c'est l'humanité qui meurt. Que chacun se rassure, pour qu'un système comme celui de 1984 fonctionne, il faudrait atteindre à la perfection, ce qui n'est pas une qualité humaine, et il y a toujours à un instant donné un homme qui donne un sens au mot "humanité" et qui est animé par de louables intentions. Pour moi, ce qu'il faut apprendre de 1984, c'est comment lire la politique, la géopolitique et la psychologie humaine. Il donne d'excellents axes d'analyse. Et surtout il faut retenir que l'éducation, qui est au centre du livre, est la seule clef de la liberté, c'est en l'anéantissant que le despotisme prend ses aises et c'est l'ignorance qui permet d'exploiter les peuples, ce qui se vérifie tellement encore aujourd'hui (pourquoi dans certains pays les intellectuels sont-ils forcés à l'exil s'il ne souhaitent pas être exécutés ? Pourquoi les gouvernements se sentent-ils menacés ?). Jeunes collégiens, à vos bouquins et cessez de rechercher la facilité, vous vous asservissez. Réfléchissez, c'est là la seule clef de la réussite.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-26 07:17:40.
(Language: English)
This had been on my "to read" list for a while. The comedienne Jo Brand mentioned how this is a very relevant book today, and I would agree for the following reasons: - it is shocking that when you consider that more people voted for Big Brother than for the UK general election. There really does seem to be a hedonistic "bread and circuses" mindset whereby the population as a whole seems to be passive. - I was surprised at how the Criminal Justice Bill came in with little resistance (and that has got to be one of the most 1984 esqe titles for a piece of legislation). It is even more shocking to me that there has been no resistance to the banning of smoking in pubs, and quite how the UK ended up in both Iraq and Afghanistan with negligible resistance - we reap the legacy of Blairism, where spin takes precedence over action, and you see the same thing in large organisations, but I do believe that the Blair approach has its roots in a more corporatist approach to the management of parliamentary affairs As a history student I'd touched on life in Nazi Germany, and in Stalinist Russia, so I had a rough idea of what was going to be in the book. I read the book when I was working at IBM, and that place really is like Nazi Germany. There is an accute lack of resources, none of the infrastructure works properly, and you don't see results-driven orientation. They are big on spin and bullshit, as though it is a Krushchev-era news bulletin blethering on about the supposed increase in tractor production. The reality is not being substantively demonstrated;it's all about spin. There is a very distinct style of written communication, which is like a form of Newspeak, which really understates the message. In some instances you are sent something which seems like a parody, where as many phrases from "corporate bullshit bingo" have been stuffed into an e-mail, but the message does not communicate anything at all. Say what you like about the French, I do admire the way that generally they do not take crap from anyone, and push back. I find it scary the way that in the work environment we lose more rights, but on the basis that a manager has taken the piss on one occasion, it becomes a licence to behave in a manner that is morally dubious, and downright illegal in some cases. Likewise there is the peer pressure/lemmings issue of collective resignation. This applies in the workplace, but also impacts society as well. Will it become socailly acceptable for a state organisation to gas Jews? perhaps not, but it does make you wonder how many steps away from such an act occuring. So, if you swap Victory Gin for BB and soaps, coupled with an individualistic maerialistic culture, I think it remains a contemporary story. I was unsure about Winston and Julia. I got the impression that Winston was based on Orwell, but Julia seemed like a personal indulgence. I have met a character like O'Brien, though, and that was quite scary.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-05-10 01:30:27.
(Language: English)
I like this excerpt of Isaac Asimov's review of the 'two-way TV set' and the 'Big Brother is Watching You' concepts in the book: "The great Orwellian contribution to future technology is that the television set is two-way, and that the people who are forced to hear and see the television screen can themselves be heard and seen at all times and are under constant supervision even while sleeping or in the bathroom. Hence, the meaning of the phrase 'Big Brother is watching you'. This is an extraordinarily inefficient system of keeping everyone under control. To have a person being watched at all times means that some other person must be doing the watching at all times (at least in the Orwellian society) and must be doing so very narrowly, for there is a great development of the art of interpreting gesture and facial expression. One person cannot watch more than one person in full concentration, and can only do so for a comparatively short time before attention begins to wander. I should guess, in short, that there may have to be five watchers for every person watched. And then, of course, the watchers must themselves be watched since no one in the Orwellian world is suspicion-free. Consequently, the system of oppression by two-way television simply will not work." Full Review here: http://www.geocities.com/ncptrory/1984.htm
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-28 01:22:47.
(Language: English)
Imagine a world where u r not free to say what u want to say because some one has stolen your freedom of expression. Imagine a language which is contracting day by day because some one wants to make your expressions become paralyzed.Imagine a world where history but not the future changes on the will of a person who has a desire to rule the world. All this seems fiction but its the reality of our times. George Orwell had imagined all of this in the 20th cnetury itself through his masterpiece '1984'. This is a story of a time when people have been deprived of their right to expression & their language is been shortened day by day so that people can not even think of anything. and all of this done by Big Brother who rules the entire nation.The country is forced into an eternal war and people are made to believe that this war is for their betternment and earlier the conditions were far worse than they r today. and who so ever tries to raise his voice against the system is destroyed and even get disappeared and no one comes to know or retaliate for this. those who come forward are tortured like anything and are made to believe that they are wrong and whatever is being done is for their good only upto the limit that a person himself starts beliving in it. its d relaity of our tmes also where d real big brothers are trying to rule us and making us believe at d same time that it is for d good of the world and we actually satrt believing in it.... a fascinating story of a future which has the capability to change everything from past to present to future.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-25 01:53:34.
(Language: English)
Wow. This was good. The last time I read this book, I think it was 1984.At that time, I saw it merely as some weird science fiction thing that fortunately hadn't come true. Of course, my English teacher at the time tried to help us see how it was about conformity.Two things motivated me to give it another look. Someone said that it was a brilliant political satire. SATIRE, I thought, satires are funny. Okay, you know how people imagine different actor's voices as different characters when they read a book? I thought I'd try to imagine what this book would be like if it were a movie made by the Coen Brothers or Tim Burton. (I figured that Woody Allen or Mel Brooks was a little too silly). It helped, especially early on when Winston Smith's life is so bleak and lonely.The other thing that encouraged me to read it was when a friend suggested a cartoon idea to me- Ted's 1984 Cartoon I just figured he was referring to the illegal wire taps and email phishing, but it it SO much more than that- the propaganda, the use and abuse of the media, TORTURE, and the psychological tricks of perpetual war. Wow. It is really frightening.The first part of this book is bleak and depressing, the second part is an exciting combination of political thriller and romance. The third part is almost as surreal and existential as a Jean Paul Sarte play.What is truly frightening is not the idea of this book being somehow prophetic, or of how it features many of the kinds of ideologies and tactics of the current administration, what is really scary- and shaming, is that this isn't just a satire of Socialism or post WWII Brittan or 1940's America, or the NAZIs or the Soviets or the cold war, it isn't just a satire about conformity- and it is, by the way. It occurred to me that John Hughes or somebody could rip off the basic plot and turn it into a movie about how miserable high school can be. It's not just a warning about how society or governments could evolve. What it is is a searing commentary on human nature. Very much in line with the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. We are all oppressors and followers. We are all capable of torture or betrayal. That's the frightening part.If you read this and really take it seriously, you will be bound to become skeptical of any politician- regardless or party or promise. You will treasure and appreciate you rights, freedoms and your relationships. And you just might be a little less comfortable undressing with the TV on. I don't have a web-cam on my computer. Do you?
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Aaron posted a review at 2008-03-24 01:25:39.
(Language: English)
Eric Arthur Blair, known to us as George Orwell, led a life which certainly gave him the authority to write such a book as 1984. His political views show us a man who was adaptive and intelligent, and most assuredly a realist. 1984 is a cold dark world in which hope is dead and all fall under the eye of big brother. Orwell said that 1984 was not a novel of the future, but a novel of his present world. Today Orwell's work is as relative as ever; indeed, I believe the book should now be taken as seriously as the Bible and Mr. Dawkins are. Evolutionary revolution is alive and well with many leaders today such as Alex Jones, Daniel Estulin, Michael Badnarik, Peter Dale Scott, David Icke, and so many other Conspiracy Theorist Libertarians—it would be impossible to list them. These guys, like it or not, are forming a new movement. Have no fear—as Trotsky found out, all movements lead to the same old crap. This is why Trotsky called for perpetual revolution. I only hope the readers of Orwell's 1984 come to understand that his vision is one we live in today. As Mr. Lysander Spooner so put it "A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years." I would only add that it is "the illusion of choosing a new master", as the Left / Right paradigm only exists within the masses little pea-brains. Awaken to the reality that you are Winston asleep. Awake.
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Camille posted a review at 2011-09-12 09:41:34.
(Language: English)
Nightmarish and heartbreaking, yet fascinating. In a world where political religion reigns, God is replaced by Big Brother (the all-seeing, all-knowing government) and an invisible leader, known by the images projects on the tv screens. History is rewritten by way of consensus - whatever everyone believes is deemed as truth. I am reminded by the quote,"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." This speaks to the corruption that can result from a search for power, where personal power becomes powermongering over others. It also implies the power of belief over the mind and the struggle between the individual and the group consciousness. The ending is utterly tragic and the coldbloodedness of the Ministry of Love shocked me to the bone. I have read this book a few times and would strongly recommend it to anyone wishing to see the danger that may result in giving up one's freedom for security and the ability to think for oneself in return for comfort. Here, "ignorance is bliss."
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-05-29 03:50:20.
(Language: English)
I picked this one up because of the fact that, since its writing, its concepts have become ingrained in our society. I suppose I originally thought the book would be something like a bad conspiracy theory due to the fact that the terms "Big Brother" and "1984" have been thrown around so often. The book turned out to be one of the greatest lessons I have ever had. While the idea of telescreens and erasing the past seem unlikely to reach such an extreme, the book has relevance even today. Even in the US, the government is becoming more involved in everyday life as information gathering becomes easier and easier. While we probably won't see such a large scale manipulation of history, it is easy to see smaller examples of propaganda and manipulation of public thought. I think that it serves as a strong warning. Such control will not come through some great communist revolution, but it will continue to tighten through small, barely noticeable advances in government. As our two parties gain and loose favor, each will expand in their own ways. It is more difficult to undo these changes once they are in place. As a result, despite having two seemingly opposing parties, we have a single steadily advancing government. The ideas presented in the "Brotherhood"s book and those of collective solipsism are interesting to consider as well. Overall, this is definitely one to build on my own personal philosophy. A must read for anyone.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-20 12:55:26.
(Language: English)
I wish I could get to the most recent review of this book. When I reread it last year, at age 76, having forgotten most of the details from my first youthful reading of it, I was horrified by how contemporary it is! War being seen as good and necessary, civil liberties trampled, virtually no independent or logical thinking, mindless television on all four walls, etc., etc....no search for truth or investigative journalism! I hope it is still required reading in high schools, and it should be required again at ages 21, 40, and 65 (if we're still free enough to have books) to be a regular warning to every citizen at what we have to lose if we stop thinking. It is just as bad to think only what our own ideological cohorts of either persuasion tell us to think! I can't believe the lies that so many seem to believe! This is a gripping, well-written book, with characters I will not easily forget this time!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-16 08:02:01.
(Language: English)
George Orwell tem em 1984 seu mais renomado e aclamado romance. Escrito no fim de sua vida, Orwell pouco pôde ver a repercussão que o livro teve e ainda tem até hoje.A estória se passa em um fictício ano de 1984, no qual o totalitarismo viria a dominar o Mundo inteiro. O Planeta é dividido em três grandes blocos, a Eurásia, a Lestásia e a Oceania, e cada um desses blocos tem basicamente a mesma doutrina ideológica. O Governo controla tudo e o povo vive em um constante estado de alienação, onde são manipulados a acreditar – e pior – a seguir voluntariamente os descabidos preceitos do Partido.A supressão da liberdade é tão grande que existe a Polícia do Pensamento, a qual punia quem cometia “crimes-idéia” (ideologias diferentes da do Partido), além de filmagens que o Estado fazia das pessoas através de “teletelas” dentro de suas próprias casas. E o mais desanimador: o Governo criava a Novilíngua, uma espécie de língua que mantinha apenas uma palavra para expressar um conceito e as outras eram excluídas, juntamente com aquelas que poderiam expressar uma idéia contrária à do sistema dominante. Com isso em um futuro próximo, quase ninguém disporia de recursos lingüísticos para formular uma oposição à tal situação. Essa é uma visão pessimista que praticamente não possibilita esperanças.O protagonista é o incerto e promíscuo Winston Smith. Ele vive na Oceania, Londres e é um pequeno funcionário do governo que trabalha para o Ministério da Verdade. Nesse “órgão” as informações antigas são refeitas para criarem uma constante noção de perfeição do Estado e do seu suposto chefe maior: o Big Brother (Grande irmão). Smith, intimamente, não concorda com as atrocidades que o Partido comete, e tenta timidamente se desvencilhar desse poder. Depois de viver um romance com Júlia, uma mulher que pensa como ele, Winston é preso e levado para a tortura (física e mental) na temida sala 101, onde a dor e o medo fazem qualquer homem negar seus ideais e aceitar coniventemente o Grande Irmão. 1984 é um manifesto contra a autoridade despótica e um alerta para os perigos que podem vir a surgir de um governo totalitário. Ele amedronta os leitores ao descrever essa quase irreversível sociedade e os faz refletir sobre o privilégio que é o livre-arbítrio e a importância da sua constante manutenção. Pena que a cada dia essa liberdade se deteriora mais.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-21 07:39:54.
(Language: English)
Awesome book! My favorite by far. I just have one question though, does winston die? I'm having this debate that he dies emotionally, however my friend is persistant that he dies physically.Here's the last paragraph if you need to see it again:"The voice from the telescreen was still pouring forth its tale of prisoners and booty and slaughter, but the shouting outside had died down a little. The waiters were turning back to their work. One of them approached with the gin bottle. Winston, sitting in a blissful dream, paid no attention as his glass was filled up. He was not running or cheering any longer. He was back in the Ministry of Love, with everything forgiven, his soul white as snow. He was in the public dock, confessing everything, implicating everybody. He was walking down the white-tiled corridor, with the feeling of walking in sunlight, and an armed guard at his back. The longhoped-for bullet was entering his brain. He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-21 12:42:55.
(Language: English)
My pocket dictionary was printed in 1992 with the inscription ‘The English language changes all the time. New words come into it, and existing words develop new meanings. You probably use and have to understand many new words that simply did not exist a few years ago.’ In direct contrast, the ‘Newspeak’ dictionary in 1984 is designed to limit the scope of thought. ‘Its vocabulary grew smaller every year.’ The chief responsibility of 1984’s protagonist, Winston Smith, is to destroy contentious references in history books as an employee of the government. He is continuously watched by ‘Big Brother’ and his thoughts are monitored by the ‘thought police.’ In the book, the world is divided into three countries that are constantly at war with each other. Male and female relationships are permitted only for the purpose of procreation and children are encouraged to snitch on their wayward parents. The book was first published in 1949. My father read it prior to 1984 and said people of his generation wondered what would become of the world when that fateful year arrived. For people of my generation the world George Orwell creates is one of pure fantasy and ‘Big Brother’ is nothing more than a recently axed television series. That said, 1984 is a classic. If you haven’t read it, I would strongly recommend you do so.
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