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Summary: A different time, a complete opposite of a utopia
Review: The story is of 1984, a completely different sight than what we remember 1984 to be. "Big Brother is watching," and you can't talk bad against the Party, which controls everything. Life isn't interesting in this time. People disappear because they go up against the Party or even just thinking about it gets you in trouble. It was interesting and kept me reading just to find out what would happen revolting against the Party. It's a book that may drag for a while but a definite read till the end.
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Summary: Wish I could give it more!
Review: In this gripping, horrifying novel, Winston Smith (a citizen of totalitarian Oceania) dares to be defiant in private, against Big Brother, against the Upper Class, against everything. Along side his forbidden love Julia Winston works toward his goal of destroying Big Brother. He doesn't realize no one can end the reign of Big Brother. A terrifying gaze into the life of citizens in a totalitarian communist government, 1984 deserves all the hype and praise it gets. In the words of Winston Smith, "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER!"
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Summary: Orwell is a genius!
Review: There are many reviews for this book, so I will not say what has been said so many times before. One thing I have to add though; This is a deeply disturbing book, though not in a bad way. NOT a book for small children. In my opinion, anyone who isn't disturbed even a little by the ending did not fully understand the story.
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Summary: 1984- awesome book
Review: From cover to cover 1984 captivates the reader with its insightful, intriguing, and disturbing look at human nature. Winston, the hero of the novel, lives in a totalitarian government that has control over every aspect of his life. The government has made privacy obsolete and love a sin; therefore, making life for many people unlivable.But with the slogan "Big Brother Is Watching You" reigning over every wall and building, many people are far to afraid to speak out against this so called "perfect" government, in fears of loosing their life. Winston however, feels that as long as he is living under the rule on INGSOC (the official name of the government) he might as well be dead. So he looses his fears and slowly takes action against INGSOC. He falls in love and for the first time in his life he is truly happy. But everything that he is doing is against the law. The government views love as something that is dangerous to the party; therefore it must be destroyed. Ultimately the government turns out to be far more complex and powerful than anyone imagined. I am assuming that many people are reading this before they have actually read 1984. I will not reveal more because I do not want to ruin the plot for you. AlI can say is that it has a surprise ending that you would have never expected. 1984 was written by George Orwell in 1949, yet its theme and ideas still holds true in many ways to today's world. That is one, out of many reasons, as to why 1984 will forever be a classic. Set in 1984, Orwell's depiction, of what was then considered the future, is both horrific and in some ways accurate to the governments of today. There is great deal of symbolism in this novel. I believe that Orwell's intention, as Goldings had been in Lord of the Flies, was to reveal the evil that drives people and to show how that evil is apparent even in today's modern societies. Orwell worded this book so eloquently that it is easy for almost anyone to pick up the symbolism. 1984 was so eye opening for me, that after I read it I walked morbidly around the house just thinking about what ultimately happened to Winston. This book pulls everyone in because it has all the elements - drama, action, suspense, and romance. I only recommend this book to people that are at least in 6 grade. The reading isn't challenging, it is just the actual concepts about the goal of governments and human spirit that might be confusing. If you are the type of person that likes to get absorbed in a book, not just have a quick read, then this is the book for you. If you enjoy books such as Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, or The Giver, then 1984 will undoubtedly become a favorite.
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Summary: A must read for your children if you've already read it.
Review: More chilling now than when I first read it over 25 years ago. Not necessarily because of increased understanding but because of increased intrusion by the state. I am nagged by the realization that had Orwell lived longer, his work would have been closer to current events than fiction.
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Summary: Too many expectations for a just a fiction book
Review: I bougth this book because I was interested in reading an anti-uthopia book, since I read "Uthopia" from Thomas Moro, and eft me satisfied (I really recommend it). 1984 could have been written in less pages. The lenght of the book really makes the resding too boring. However, there are moments where you can feel the power of Orwell imagination, that's why I give the book three stars. If you can borrow it from someone, do it and don't buy it; instead read "Uthopia".
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Summary: I was disappointed
Review: The message the author was trying to get to the readers was good, and Orwell did a pretty good job writing it, but the plot ruined the book. I don't want to ruin the end for readers, but it makes everything in the book meaningless. Unfortunately there are also parts in the book that are VERY boring. If you are going to read this book, get it from the library before you buy it.
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Summary: Satire for the Ages-- It can be Closer Than You May Think
Review: 1984 has come and gone, but George Orwell's prophetic nightmare of the not so distant future holds as much power now as it did fifty years ago. The book shows what a government placed in complete control would do to maintain its power. The story is based on one man's struggle against himself and the vast web of deception spread over most of the world. The novel 1984 is centered on Winston Smith, an average, middle-aged man who is living his life in the city of London. London is a part of Oceania, a vast superpower controlling a third of the world. The Party, an oppressive, totalitarian government, governs Oceania and promotes itself through propaganda, censorship, and thought control. The population is controlled by Big Brother, an immense network of cameras covering all of Oceania. The cameras are fixed in the walls of every room, of every house, on every road, in every city of the whole country. All of the cameras are monitored, every minute of every day. Every gesture, twitch, or involuntary movement is intently scrutinized for signs of criminal activities, possible rebelliousness, or internal conflict. It is not uncommon for people to simply disappear without a trace, never to be seen again. As Winston goes through his day-to-day life, the reader becomes increasingly aware of the horrors of his current society and of the terrible atrocities of the government. This book is gripping and thought provoking, and I highly recommend it. ~Reader
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Summary: It's already happening....
Review: Take a look at the media of today, they only let one view out. This is a prophetic book. American society is already well on it's way with almost no turning back!! There is already propaganda everywhere. On television, everywhere.... The television has become the one truth. It stops thought and feeds lies and incomplete and twisted facts... Always question authority, and think for yourself!! don't let the media think for you... they lie... ALOT! Orwell was a prophet, I tell you...
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Summary: Great message, but a little too unreal.
Review: Orwell describes a Negative Utopia, one which Big Brother watches your every move, any inkling of dislike towards the party can get you killed, and even confessions of one's own children can send you to labor camps. The first half paints a scary picture as one man tries to cope with everyday life in this suffocating hell. There are telescreens constantly watching you, people totally dedicated to revising the past to suit the Party, spies out to snitch on you. The main character, through his mundane everyday ordeal, breaks the mold and does something dangerous - buys and writes into a diary. The overall feeling is a common but classic one - one man tries to break out of a confining society. He describes the mood of the world that any man can relate to, being an individual in a world where individuality is not welcome. The second half is the weaker half. It turns from a subtle message to an openly overt message. Instead of the concentrating on one man's perspective, Orwell bombards the reader with mock history and rhetoric, and a last minute confession by the Party itself. That last minute confessions reminds me of how in any badly written movie, the villain suddenly explains his motives and his actions to the hero before he's about to kill him. And like those movies, the motivation is overblown and totally unreal. This book was enjoyable, and the writing was smooth and fluid. The lack of dialogue and action sort of took away from the enjoyment, but not too much. I would recommend this book, but I still think Animal Farm is far superior.
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