1984

Rating:
Summary: A little outdated- but does convey a point
Review: Upon reading 1984 I found myself questioning many things about different economic and social societies. When George Orwell wrote this, ideas of Communism were just beginning to become known and many people questioned Capitalism. This is greatly reflected in the book. However, the so-called hero of the book, Winston, wasnt really a hero at all. In the end, he was brainwashed and lost his sense of individual thought. This was to prove to "evils" of not having Capitalism- The biggest problem with the book was that I feel it is outdated in that it does not have as great of an impact in our society today due to the increasing rise of Capitalism and the fall of several Communist countries. It presents a very extreme idea, but not a very likely one.

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Summary: A Student's View (Village Academy)
Review: After reading the book for the first time I was inspired by the vividness and characterization, and then after reading it for the second time I enjoyed the book just as much. The most striking feature of this book is that for some countries this type of totalitarian state is not to far into the future, which left a small, but apparent truth with me. Orwell was not trying to show what life in 1984 would be, but as a projection and exaggeration of tendencies and changes over the years. It would be a shame to miss out on this book no matter what.

Rating:
Summary: It is the best political book written in history.
Review: This book is the most influential anti-Utopian novel of the twentieth century. It shows the destruction of power that government can inflict on a society. It is a novel that gives insight into modern society and embodies the nightmare of a totalitarian society. The book illustrates the idea of dehumanizing humans making them without thoughts, desires, and emotions. This book makes the reader question the power of government and wonder where our society is heading.

Rating:
Summary: perhaps even more relevant today than when it was written
Review: Having recently re-read this book at the age of 24, I found that it rang true even more so than when I initially read it as a school text aged 13. It may perhaps be the case that when I read 1984 I was less aware of the levels of surveillence in operation however, with the "advance" of technology it is certain that Big Brother is indeed watching much of what we do. With the recent launch (in the UK anyway) of interractive tv it makes one realise just how real the telescreen is. Perhaps received at the time of it's publishing as paranoid rantings, these days the terrifying predictions are one by one becoming true-once a work of futuristic fiction this book could almost be used now as an urban survival guide. A beatiful and chilling read

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Summary: It really annoys me...
Review: ...when people misinterpret 1984 as an anti-Commie book. Orwell WAS a member of the far-left earlier on in life, and 1984 is an anti-totalitarianism novel, a novel that attacks dictators and wannabe-dictators of the entire political spectrum. And it can still happen - look at the world today: censorship, both on the Internet and in the more conventional media, is becoming more popular, everyone's a fashion-enslaved brain-washed conformity-seeking sheep, and we're all continually screwed by politicians who think they know what's best for us.

Another criticism of 1984 is the downbeat ending and the essential hopelessness of it all. But the fact is, that if the world slips into a dictatorship like that in 1984 then there will be no hope. Orwell is trying to tell us that we must fight for our every freedom NOW - if we don't then we don't deserve them.

This is the greatest science fiction novel of all time (and you can't tell me it's not SF - just because it's SF doesn't mean it isn't literature).

Rating:
Summary: Life Changing, This Book Is It
Review: This was the most amazing book I have ever read. It somehow put everything I feared, and knew into words. I think Orwell is one of the greatest writers of all time. His prophetic look made me shudder and parts of the book made brought me to the point of tears. The words echo "Who controls The past, Controls the Future, Who Controls the Present, Controls the Past." Being a 9th grader and hating, and analyzing school I see this is prevelant. And to soccer girl or whoever gave this 1 star, that is merely beacuse you don't have the intellect to understand the political implications offered. Sorry, but it's true.

Rating:
Summary: Here and now
Review: A number of reviews have stated that this work is dated and irrelevant today. It would be wise to realize how this is completely opposite of the truth. Doublespeak has dominated American life, such as the Gulf War in which war meant peace, and misery truly meant happiness. Power and money rule, and it could definitely be argued that we live under a totalitarian system of control in America. Beware of power. Orwell is turning over in his grave.

Rating:
Summary: Chillingly close to the bone
Review: Six years ago I was in a bookshop and on the shelf I saw a copy of George Orwell's "1984". I had often heard people mention this novel on TV in political discussions and so on without really knowing what they mean't. Out of curiosity I decided to buy the book and see what it was like. I quite enjoyed it, and later that year we had to read it for Year 12 English. What I found interesting were the reactions of the other kids. Some liked it, others found it boring, uneventful or irrelevant. I remember one boy saying: "But 1984 was nothing like that!" The point about this novel is that it isn't supposed to be like a Nostradamus prophecy. George Orwell was writing about the social conditions that existed at the time in which he was living. Shortages, censorship, government red tape and the manipulation of popular opinion. I'm not overly concerned with the book's issues of politics or whether it's been proved inacurrate or not. I like to think of this as the story of an "alternative" 1984, a look at how different the world might be if history went in a different direction. Other books that explore this theme are "The Man In The High Castle" and "Fatherland" which are both set in worlds where the Nazis had won the Second World War. These books revel in historical inaccuracy. I think "1984" still has some relevance though. Especially the way the media alter people's view of the world by deciding what we should and shouldn't see, or the way newspapers "enhance" photographs. An example that comes to mind is when a newspaper altered a photo of the killer Martin Bryant by putting more shadow around his eyes to make this ordianary-looking man look psychotic. George Orwell was right about the idea of people being under constant surveillance, now that hidden cameras abound, a device more subtle and unobtrusive than the telescreen. Even though we're not all wearing blue overalls and worshipping a demi god, free will is being undermined in a more insidious way. This novel has made an impact on other writers, particularly Anthony Burgess. He wrote a novel called "1985". The beginning of that novel descibes his version of how the world of Big Bother, Ingsoc and the Thought Police came about. This isn't a sequel, more of a reaction to the former book. In conclusion "1984" is an interesting book of a world that might have been, and might still be.

Rating:
Summary: I hated this book, it stunk.
Review: this book was horrible! i have read many other george orwell books and i didnt like them either! maybe its just me but i dont like this book at all! i had to read this book for my advance reading class (i'm in 7th grade) and i know seniors in high school that have JUST now their senior year reading this book. i dont know....maybe its just me....maybe i am not and advance enough reader to be readign this book, but i personally hate this book. i do not recomend this book to anyone excpets people who like to read bad books.

Rating:
Summary: This Totally Rocks
Review: "1984" has to be one the best albums ever, and definitely one of my favorite records. The production by Ted Templeton is excellent, and David Lee Roth's vocals are probably the finest to ever be put on vinyl. The highlight of the record is, in my opinion, the hit single "Jump." Once again, Eddie Van Halen's guitar work is the best in the business. Five stars, check it out!