1984

Rating:
Summary: A doubleplusgood read...
Review: It sure doesn't take much of an imagination stretch to realize that the society Orwell describes in 1949 is becoming reality in 1999. Ever since I read it 4 years ago (and since reread it several times), it has not been replaced as my favorite book for its political satire, catchiness, and yes, timelessness. Definitely get this book and read it-- just make sure you do it away from any telescreens....

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly written by Orwell
Review: This book really makes you think about how powerless us, the citizens can be. The last lines of this book change your entire philosophy about the entire book. Brilliant!

Rating:
Summary: Doublethinking
Review: !984 is that kind of book you has heard people talk about so much you have very high expectations. And this book delivers. It's a brilliant work. The construction of a society where peolple are constante surveilled and know and feel it is one of the more vivid and disturbing portraits I've read. Loved doublethink and newspeak.

Rating:
Summary: This book redefined the art of writing.
Review: This book had to be one of the greatest books ever written. It stands out with books like Ulysses by James Joyce and Gone with the Wind. This book was a frightening prediction that will probably come true. I'm not saying that it'll come true in the near future, but in, maybe, 1000 years or so. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but this book does contain many fictional things, but those fictional things might become factual 1000 years from now. Like, for example, telescreens, mind reading, vaporizing (which is something you'll learn about in the book) which includes brainwashing. I, personally, thought that this was by far the best book I have ever read. But when you read it, read it with an open mind. If you are not thinking strait you may miss out on an important plot twist or quote that can change the story. Again, this is one of the greatest books in the world, and it'll be bad if you don't read it with an open mind; it would be a major shame if you didn't understand this material. The story line could change the way you see things, almost completely, as did mine and my other, sane, may I add friends who also read it. I hope you'll love it, or should I say I guarantee you'll love it!

Rating:
Summary: "Big Brother is watching you" turns real
Review: I read a article about Spycams in MLK Jr holiday. The neighborhood watch was using cameras to protect the neighbors somewhere in CA. Somewhere in the article says " tracing George Orwell's 1984, 'BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU'. " or something like that. Wow. I just can't believe a 1949 novel turns real in 1999, that's 50 years! If you don't know what I'm talking about.... that's because I'm just too exicted. What if a jail turns to a Room 101?

Rating:
Summary: Page turner that takes what the gov. can do to the extreme.
Review: I was scepticle when my English teacher told me that I was to read this book. But from the first words, I was hooked. Orwell's depiction of a world that would result in total governmental control was a horrifying vision that was all too close to a reality. The Party's inhumanity and evil lust for power made the book impossible to put down. I am glad that I read this book becuase it gave me an insite into what will result if we give our government too much power.

Rating:
Summary: If you need a monument...
Review: In this psychologically unassailable novel, which has since been canonized and parodied but never displaced, Orwell (already important for his work in journalism) described the absolute outer limits of where the human delusion for "security" would lead us. It comes almost as too late a shock to learn that the ones who run everything in Orwell's fictional hell are not interested in the excuses that the Nazis, for instance, used to justify their deeds -- they have left behind all justification and live on the level of pure will. That is the kind of evil that the 20th century was giving birth to even as Orwell finished the book, and which may prove to be one of the most important philosophical and real-life enemies any of us will ever face. All the more astonishing to learn that Orwell wrote the book basically as a potboiler during thin times. My guess is that he had no time to do anything other than tell the truth.

Rating:
Summary: SURFACED UTOPIA HIDES THE DYSTOPIA UNDERNEITH
Review: When I first read this book, at first my head was filled with suicidal thoughts, at that extent the ending fills one with desperation. Then, I thought: "no, I want to live" to live in order for this world never to become reality. I have read many reviews of this books, and some have dimissed it by giving it one or two stars. Saying that this book is either unrealistic or too depressing. Too depressing? One must take into consideration the fact that this was written a year when everything was seen pessimistically, people were not sure of their future, and a myriad people thought the future not to be a brighter place, but even darker. Under such circumstances the result is not going to be Cadbury's roses. For the so-called unrealism, when you say that the rat scene is highly improbable for a governement to implement, you must not be aware of what is going on in the world, not only is it very likely to happen, but has already happened. Torture does exist, by the way, and if you think that what goes on in the protagonists head is "unrealistic" then the book's words: IGNORANCE IS FORCE is probably true. All in all, one of the best books of this century, that I advise all to read.

Rating:
Summary: Great job with setting and character, but neglects plot
Review: orwell does good job with the setting, characterization, and images throughout the novel, but fails to elaborate on the plot. This is what took away from the story. Everything else was top notch! Great book!

Rating:
Summary: The best book in history. It should replace the Bible!
Review: This book, which should be canonized, in definitly the best book ever. I carry a copy of it with me everywhere. But the thing no one seems to understand is that the book has absolutly NOTHING to do with Winston Smith, but is rather about a self sustaining dictatorship and how it functions. Smith is merely a vessle, a exsample. People who say "I hate this book" simply don't understand it. The Government should hand out copys and make every one read it(also known as school), but those of us intelegent enough to appreciate, enjoy, and understand this book already have. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY