Rating: 
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...
Rating: 
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.
Rating:
Summary: oh yes. this is a good one.
Review: this was the first novel ever that i have finished (i tend to read the first few pages and quickly move over to the end). yes. like a winter in london under heavy smog, this novel has a gloomy, cold, and a bit cynical perspective. but there's something pulling you in. it's the secret love between winston and julia. so beautiful. soon to be crushed like a flower under some fat tires, though...
Rating: 
Summary: 1984: A book for it's time
Review: By giving it 2 stars I'm not saying the book had no affect on me, 2 stars means it's ok, now my review. When I read Animal Farm by George Orwell, I was blown away, it was a great book, with such a great meaning behind it. So when I decided to read 1984, I was hoping it'd be better, but when I started reading it, I almost fell asleep. It is said to have a warning for Governments behind it, and I guess in 1943 it did, but in the year 2000, I dont think it warns anyone. He was trying to say, that when a government or anyone tries for a Utopia(perfect place) that it falls in on them, and can never work out. Just like The Giver, by Lois Lowry, that book was very good, where a boy grows up in a town where it's all black and white, and people ride bikes everywhere. The people ride bikes so there is no pollution, and also because they dont leave their little town, it blew me away, and maybe you should read it, if you already haven't. But as for 1984 I dont know, I guess I was expecting too much, and didn't get what I was hoping for. Jesse
Rating:
Summary: Extremely scary--A Warning for all future generations
Review: When reading this book, one is dragged through the emotions of love, hate, betrayal, despair, and utter, unabashed rage. This novel tells a story of negative utopia in which the government knows all and sees all. The citizens are worthless except as workers. Winston and Julia go through a secret love affair despite better judgement. The use of allegory for socialism is impressive. Many parallels, obvious and subtle, can be drawn between the two. The story is enthralling and the book is hard to put down. The reader may feel safe from the situation in this book, but it is not impossible. Of course, 1984 has come and gone, but we must realize that such situations are possible. That is why this book deserves 5 stars. 1984 uses exaggeration to prove a point. Freedom and capitalism are definately worth the drawbacks. We see that if we give the government our freedom, we will eventually become slaves to the government. Orwell was brilliant in this work. We are forewarned. Everyone should read this book (at least once) and try to take a lesson from it.
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Summary: 1984
Review: a dark anti-utopian book with under lying meanings about history in foreign countrys
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Summary: 1984-A World of the Future
Review: In a utopian society there is no pain. There is no disease, and there is no jealousy of any sort. What would happen if there would be no thought allowed too? Would not this eliminate pain, worries, and jealosy? Would it be chaos, or would it create the ultimate utopian society? In the city of Oceania, one man would dare to question the paradisiacal utopian society which was created. Winston Smith was alive during the glorious revolution, when Big Brother and the Brotherhood commandeered control. From then on, there were three basic rules: war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength. Big Brother was supreme. If you uttered a word against him, you would be vaporized, and erased from society. Who controls the present controls the present controls the past. Those who control the future controls the present. Winston needs to find a way to end the reign of Big Brother, and time is running out. The Thought Police are coming for him, and by the time he finds how to vanquish them, it may be too late.
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Summary: 1984 is Here!
Review: Anyone who read George Orwell's classic 1984 when they were younger and didn't enjoy it, needs to give it another read. I understood its freightening warning much better when I read it as an older more mature person. I just saw a show on MSNBC the other night about real "Big Brother" technology that is in use today. Some cities in England are using stratigicly placed surveillance cameras that can actually automatically focus in on suspicious looking characters and run a picture of their face against a database of known criminals. Another example of "Big Brother" technology is electronic toll collection systems that allow the "authorities" to track your whereabouts. Certainly, doublespeak is often used in politics and to shape public opinion today. Bombing innocent civilians and causing widespread destruction is now the meaningless term "collateral damage". The "Defense Department" is more of an offensive international policing agency that is ready, willing, and able to wreak havoc on any country which is diagreeable to the United States. Nuclear missles are dubiously named "peacekeepers". IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH is America today. How many people in America actually educate themselves about the issues of the day and about the real nature of the politicians running for office? It's pretty obvious to anyone who has bothered to educate themselves that many politicians often don't practice what they preach. People are too quick to just accept sound bites as facts, and don't bother to educate themselves regarding the issues of the day. The only way we can prevent a totalitarian regime like George Orwell described in 1984 from becomming a reality is for every person to be vigilant about protecting their rights and the rights of others, and for people to constantly question things and educate themselves. Unfortantely, I don't have much hope that people will actually prevent George Orwell's nightmare vision from becoming a reality. We're closer than most people realize. 1984 is here!
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