Rating: 
Summary: Beware of the thought police...
Review: George Orwell was always known for handling tough issues in his novels and non-fiction works. 1984 is a timeless example of Orwell's fearlessness, as the novel deftly broaches topics such as totalitarianism and free thought--topics that were eminently important in 1948 (when in the novel was written) and remain important to this day.The novel follows Winston Smith who is loyally employed in the Ministry of Truth within the futuristic nation of Oceania. However, in Orwell's futuristic world, nothing is as it seems, for the Ministry of Truth seeks actually to destroy historical truth in an effort to protect the unknown but seemingly omniscient "Party" which rules Oceania under the direction of the totalitarian leader known simply as "Big Brother." What follows is a dramatic transformation of Winston as he questions his role in this perverse society, where spies are everywhere, privacy is non-existent and rebellious thoughts, let alone actions, are criminal offenses. This is a disturbing satire that stunningly dramatizes the perversities of totalitarian/fascist societies and ultimately makes an important statement about human freedom within society. Orwell is a talented writer who moves the story along brilliantly, keeping readers glued to the book and throwing in many unforeseen twists and turns. The conclusion of the novel, with its dramatic last sentence, is classic and troubling. This is an important book for all to read and most will enjoy doing so.
Rating:
Summary: Great book. Some of it is funny too.
Review: Great book. Some of it is funny too. The ministry of Love, which is in charge or torturing, is called Miniluv in the language of Newspeak. The book presents a picture of a futuristic cruel society. Unlike A Brave New World, I would not want to live in this society. Some of the things that go on in this book one can relate to the real world. For example, in the book constant war is a stimulant to the economy, which resembles how some presidents use war to stimulate a bad economy in our times. The book also contains a book within a book, which appears to be an original concept. The book within the book describes an elaborate construction of the workings and politics of the Party. The torture that takes place is incredible. The Newspeak language was an interesting idea designed to reduce the possibilities of thought crimes by reducing the numbers of words in the language. The ideal speaker quacks like a duck, duckspeaking, such that speaking originates from the larynx as opposed from the brain. Duckspeaking is a marvelous, but scary idea indeed.
Rating:
Summary: FRIGHTENING, HORRIFYING, and so IMPORTANT!!!
Review: This is truly a great and important Novel! The story that dared the world to behold its possible future during a time when the future was terrifyingly uncertain, still today holds its grip on the reader!
Orwell could have been a tennis player, because he serves you up so perfectly with the heroic struggle of a man and woman against the omnipotent, ever-watchful State, and then smashes you into oblivion with the absolute destruction of any hope for a good ending or bright future.
This book warns you as obnoxiously as the whistle of an approaching train of the dangers of absolute government that has technology at its disposal and ignorance its only adversary! Many people believe that 1984 never happened because '1984' happened....I would be inclined to agree. Read the powerful book! It will Stun you, I promise!
Rating:
Summary: Hmmm...eerily accurate
Review: I am a 15 y/o male who had to read this book for my high schools summer reading program. Orwells crafty tale of a new all powerfull society and rebels trying to bring it down is an intense depiction of what life could be like. Join Winston Smith throughout his journey of rebellion and a forbidden love affair (for you chick-flick lovers) as he fights "Big Brother" and the "Party.". I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. Very entertaining and well, good. The fact that I am an Anarchist and have the same dreams as Winston of overthrowing the government only increases my admiration for Orwell, who was not afraid to craft a character most people would look down upon. Great book.
Rating:
Summary: More than just entertaining...
Review: There are many works where the story is the content. These books are usually for entertainment. This book uses the story to deliver its content. It uses the story to illustrate some awsome philosophical ideas. By presenting the ideas in a story they are easier to understand and they are more entertaining. I could not put the book down as I got towards the end. This is the only book I have ever read that has given me the shakes.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing book about what could have been.
Review: Possibly Orwell's greatest work, this was published in 1949 and served (and still serves) as a great warning for what might happen if we aren't careful enough. The year is 1984 and the setting is in London, which is part of Airstrip One, which is part of one of the three world superpowers, Oceania. Oceania was formed on the principles of Ingsoc (English Socialism) and is governed by a group of wealthy people and the imaginary "Big Brother" who is a figure designed by the Party for the people to look up to as their protector. Oceania, and London is particular, is not an ideal place to live at all. Only the Inner Party, which make up a small percent of the population, have enough food to eat and live in considerable luxury. The Outer Party, which are a group of people that hold many of the jobs that keep the Party going, are forced to live under the microscope of the Party and live in relative poverty. While they have it better off than the low class (Proles) they do not have the freedom that the Proles have, and they spend all their time either working or attending Party functions. It is not considered good for a Party member to be doing anything alone besides sleeping and things of that sort. Part 1 gives us the basics of the book. It describes Outer Party member Winston Smith, who is the main character of the book. In Part One, Smith finds himself and realizes how much he hates the Party. In Part 2, Winston meets another Outer Party member named Julia. Julia shares Winston's hatred of the Party and the two both consider themselves to be criminals and they know that they will eventually be destroyed by the Party. However, they agree to dodge the Party as long as possible. At the end of Part 2, Winston is captured by the Party. Part 3 is about the Party's efforts to change Winston by means of torture and make him a loyal servant. I won't go into deep detail because I don't want to ruin the book :) 1984 is a great novel. Maybe harder to understand and more complex than Animal Farm, but you probably get a little more out of it. If you want a complex tale about what we could be headed for, read 1984. If you want something simpler, more lighthearted, and less time consuming read Animal Farm. Both books are great in their own right.
Rating: 
Summary: Important message, but weak storytelling
Review: This book is obviously not written by a natural storyteller. The scenes feel all too detailed and the paragraphs all too long. Although the character development is great, it also feels mechanical, like the author wants you to know every little nitty detail. And during the sometimes repetative paragraphs on the government (especially during the end) the patience is drawn very thin, making for some very boring chapters. The main message is important, but it is too drawn out and repetative.
Rating:
Summary: A powerful classic...
Review: Orwell takes you into a world that is not unlike that of Communistic countries in our own time. He was a prophet of the dictatorial harshness in countries where freedom of thought, speech, religion and education is suppressed. No one knew in 1949 that this book would speak volumes about society and the "global community" where truth is nearly always suffocated and lives are extinguished uselessly in the name of "Big Brother". This book will change your mind about politics forever and cause a deeper appreciation of the freedoms Western nations enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Always Timely
Review: No matter what happens in the world this book continues to provide us with warnings. With the coming of Homeland Security we should be ever watchful that the small liberties we enjoy aren't taken away. Orwell writes of a world in which the masses have been deemed weak and harmless, while the intellegent have been brainwashed and those that aren't are vaporized.
With the government asking our country's truckers, toll booth collectors, garbagemen, etc, to bascially spy on the population and report any out of the ordinary occurrences this book once again proves how on the money Orwell was.
Rating:
Summary: it set the standard
Review: Orwell's 1984 wasn't the first utopia/dystopia written, but it pretty much set the standard for all those that followed, and even for those that came first. Orwell wrote a novel warning us of what could happen if political power went unchecked, and his warning was especially to his contemporaries living in the post-war England. Orwell does a brilliant job of capturing the despair and dinginess of life in his 1984. In fact he does it so well that if the reader is not careful the general mood of the novel could invavde the reader's life (it did mine). This book has been called one of the few masterpieces of modern literature. The third section especially so. Rarely have I read anything as great or powerful as part three of 1984. The dangers that Orwell warns us of leap forth in this section--the loss of free will and the total breaking of the human spirit, which we all would like to believe always survives. But it doesn't.
| 
