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Summary: 1984: Been there, done that; Orwell has not.
Review: 1984: Been there, done that; Orwell has not. I have always attempted novels that do not seem to be the most appealing, however, George Orwell's classic, was in short a disappointment. The book was repetitive, slow moving, and did not hold my interest at all. After finishing it, I was left with a feeling as though I had been ripped off. The general plot was clever, but the lack of interesting characters and events left the novel fruitless and boring. I tried to read the book as though it really was a prediction of the future, however, it was hard for me to understand how anyone could ever think the future would possibly be in such disarray. 1984 has the lay out of other Science Fiction novels including conformity, a heretic, and finally the heretic coming to terms with the conformity, but throughout the story, everything appeared fantastical and this made it hard to relate to. In addiction, the contradictions throughout the novel were frustrating. After the first three chapters I could only hope that Winston would be vaporized as soon as possible, rather I would have hoped to be vaporized as soon as possible. However, Orwell manages to hold out two hundred and forty-five pages before allowing Winston to make any sense of his pointless existence. The novel, in my opinion is a waste of energy, paper and ink. I cannot honestly give this book any merit. I would definitely NOT recommend it to any person with a sane mind.
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Summary: "You Do Not Exist"
Review: Not for the faint of heart, this book grips you and won't let go. Although written in the 40s (?), Orwell's message of the horrors of what might happen under a socialist government has not staled through the years. I had always heard the phrase "Big Brother is watching you", but never understood all that those simple words entailed until I cracked this one open for a read. What I found was an experience very hard to forget. The description of Winston's world is surprisingly vivid, and one can almost feel the "telescreens" silently watching your every move. The torture scenes and mind games the O'Brien brings along about a third of the way in are nothing if not chilling. And then there's the abrupt and haunting ending... I'm not ashamed to say that when I finished I hurled this book across the room in anger, much to the surprise of my family. A classic that I hope will stay on reading lists for years to come, this book should be required reading for all those who considered themselves "educated". Pick it up. You won't regret it.
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Summary: ¿ ¿Imagine a boot stamping on a human face ¿ forever¿¿
Review: Orwell does something interesting with this book - more interesting even than Animal Farm, a truly wonderful allegory. While Animal Farm seems to do nothing more than colorfully reiterate history, 1984 provides some amazing thoughts on the nature of the nearly perfect totalitarian society (the exemplar form of such a society can be found in Huxley's Brave New World) and the people who control it.While the novel feels dated (the overalls, the proles, the characters), it doesn't hinder the book at all. Detailing an alternate society which began to back peddle after World War II, 1984 is meant to feel dated. With no advancements, an inhumane government, and persistent war, it is no wonder Oceania never pulled itself out of pre-war ideologies and modes. It is a poor representation of what we now think of as "the future": that shiny metallic world of Blade Runner or Star Wars (or Amazing Tales in Orwell's time). Orwell never meant to write a science fiction novel, but rather a warning in a world in which totalitarian states had yet to be squelched. The book progresses through four stages: first there is an introduction to Oceania and its ways of life, beginning just in the same way most science fiction book begins, with little plot development or action; next comes a long character study (I won't provide too many details) which steps away from the descriptions which make up the first stage; then Orwell gives us a nice solid plot which we believe will quickly take us to the end; and finally a finale which would have been difficult to top. The end is exciting, emotional, and thought-provoking, and ties up the earlier stages of the book nicely - something few books are capable of doing. Oh, and by the way: when reading this one, be sure to buy a cheap copy and to carry around a highlighter. This book is chocked full of great quotes (literally pages and pages). If you're interested in politics, government, and human nature, this very well may become your Bible. I didn't do this and I may just have to go over it one more time.
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Summary: Be Aware! This is where our government is headed
Review: It is a world very much like ours today - no privacy, ignorance of the world and wars around us, everyone conforming to be no different than ones neighbor, and government only telling the public what they want them to know. Open your eyes and read this warning to what very well could become true if we do not change.
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Summary: The best anti-religion book of our time
Review: Orwell's 1984, changed the way I look at life. It has made me leary of all fanatics, particularly relgious fanatics. The society of Oceania closely resembles many ultra-Right wing organizations. They demand total conformity from all of their members. Big Brother parallels the Judeo-Christian God in that he demands total loyalty. The Party cannot lie. If they say that 2+2=5 then it's true, and the individual is forced to conform. One of the scariest concepts in the book is "Ignorance Is Strength." I've spoken to many religious fanatics who believe that ignorance is strength. They would rather believe what they have always believed, than question "so-called" truth. The most valuable lesson that this book taught me is that any authority that cannot be questioned, cannot be trusted!
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Summary: A Classic, It's More Than You Think
Review: George Orwell's "1984", the classic study of total behavioral control, also is a study of Marxist economics. In "1984" a perpetual state of war exists both to enslave productive populations and also to justify total behavioral control over society. Orwell structures his society using Karl Marx's Communist model: 'Proles' (proletariat), large 'Outer Party', and small 'Inner Party'. The Proles are a poor, marginally-educated workforce requiring minimal control -- they are happy with their ale. The Outer Party is the educated workforce that implements routine governmental functions. To enforce their submissive behavior they are spied upon by telescreens, by coworkers, and by family members. Outer Party members are poor but Victory Gin is inexpensive. Well-paid Inner Party members ensure total societal submission to authority using government policies, surveillance, propaganda, trickery and torture. The Inner Party's total behavioral control over others also intimidates potential Inner Party rebels into total submission. "1984" does not contain mobile computer terminals and computerized databases. It does contain 'telescreens': two-way video/audio devices that permit propaganda broadcasts and also allow video/audio surveillance. The telescreens *cannot* be turned off and blocking them is treasonable. Other societal control programs include 'Thought Police' patrols, alteration of all records, and a language simplification program designed both to hinder 'thoughtcrimes' and also to eliminate the critical questions that well-educated people ask. George Orwell did not anticipate computers, but he understood Karl Marx's strategem for controlling society using economics, surveillance, propaganda, and the educational system. "1984" reflects this understanding.
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Summary: HE LOVED BIG BROTHER
Review: Those last four words will make you CRINGE! Of course, they mean NOTHING to you if you haven't read the book. This is by far the most depressing book I've read. Stephen King's Stand can eat its heart out. A very frightening portrayal of life without privacy. Microphones in parks, surveillance mechanisms in all restaurants. Betrayal, love, hate, etc. I've read this book once, but I don't think I need to read it again, its effect was that powerful. A friend of mine also found this book depressing. Orwell does an outstanding narrative towards the end which contributes to the cringing part at the very end. I've read this book quite a while ago but its fascinating how much I remember it. This book shouldn't be ignored. Read it once, at once.
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Summary: The last book you'll ever read
Review: Because nothing else will be able to compare. this book is number 3 on mensa's top 12 list and number 1 on mine. George Orwell's predictions of a horrible socialist oppressive future puts our own society in perspective. The only thing greater than this book is the last 4 words which will send chills down your spine. A definate must-read.
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Summary: Still effective in 2001
Review: What is most impressive about 1984 is not the quality of writing or the appeal of the storyline, though both are excellent. What is most impressive about 1984 is that so many of the concepts discussed, either implicitly or explicity are still applicable and relevant in today's modern politics. Doublethink as a concept is not far off from the lies today's politicians ask you to believe as they continue to become embroiled in one controversial moral or ethical crisis after another. One has to wonder, after reading this book, if we are not in fact on our way to catastrophe ourselves in the 21st century. Though the threat is not perhaps militant in nature, it is still real nonetheless in the form of moral decay. This book is emminently comparable to Huxley's Brave New World and if you enjoyed one, you'll enjoy the other.
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Summary: Frightening, yet worth reading
Review: 1984 is a rather grim prediction for the future. The new world that it creates is frightening and surreal. The main character, Winston Smith, does not seem like the usual hero, yet at the same time one can't help liking his small rebellion. However, the total control excersised by the Party is alarming in its reality. Although George Orwell wrote this novel as a prediction for 1984, it is as significant today as it ever was. This book is definately worth reading. The style grabs you, and although the totalitarian society created could be confusing, the novel reads in a way that helps you to slowly understand each aspect of it. I would definately reccomend this book.
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