1984

Rating:
Summary: ironically assigned reading in many public schools
Review: 1984 is extremely influential on the way we as a society label each other and our government with names such as "Big Brother" Orwellian and such. These names like calling someone a Nazi allow us to appear to argue but actually allow us to dodge the real issues. This is fairly ironic considering the origin of such terms. Basically 1984 is set in London in the distopian future. Orwell wrote it in response to Stalin's corrupting the ideals of Socialism. He was a socialist and so was really bothered by that failure.

The plot to 1984 isn't so important as the setting. Basically the story follows Winston Smith. Smith harbors less than perfect views of his environment, for which he will one day be arrested regardless of his actions. Not loving the government (thought crime) is the only crime that is recognized. Hidden cameras and microphones are omnipresent in the city, included mandatory TVs which can't be turned off, only show a single government station and contain hidden cameras through which "thought police" may monitor what is in front of the TV at any time. Social interaction doesn't exist, since that would be considered weird and therefore criminal.

There are three classes of people in London: Inner Party members, Party members like Winston and the proletariate, who aren't watched so closely because they aren't considered human. In this world Winston goes from merely not liking the government to engaging in unusual behavior. He starts by buying decorative antiques at a proletariate shop and progresses to having a girl friend, who he can only meet with in remote country side settings on account of social interaction is not allowed by the government. It is obvious to him that he will one day be taken to the Ministry of Love, a windowless building which handles law enforcement, and never fails at getting thought criminals to love the government.

The novel is always dark. No happy beginning, no happy middle and no happy ending. Still it is important to read it before throwing around terms like "Orwellian" It has been so influential on society that it is required reading - if you want to pass your tenth grade English. Failing to read is a sign of insurgence against the government.

Rating:
Summary: Classic story that is still relevant despite the date
Review: 1984 is such the classic that to this day people are referencing the story that haven't read the book. Talk of the Thoughtpolice, Political Totalitarianism and especially Big Brother have pervaded our everyday lives. It taps into our greatest fears more than any book about monsters and ghosts ever could, beacuse it deals with two things: the unknown that is the future and the loss of the privacy of even our own thoughts. Most people will find no more horrible an idea than your every thought being known and held against you--the ultimate loss of freedom more than even physical freedom or even political freedom.

It is easy to read this book and say "that'll never happen" because it is just so extreme. Orwell wrote this idea in such an extreme fashion in order to get his point across, but the issue is a very real one that we are dealing with today. In Washington right now our political leaders are deliberating over social policies that the masses disagree with but will be good for the country, privacy bills that restrict, enhance, or otherwise control what is considered private.

I am not about to suggest that we are on the verge of Airstrip One by any means, but Orwell's book is symbolic of issues that are going on right now--and anyone who says that 1984 is outdated or doesn't apply to us does not understand the deeper meaning behind what Orwell meant. He was not like mnay writers today to write stories purely for enjoyment because social commentary has gone out of style, every passage Orwell wrote exuded a socio-economic, political, or religious lesson. He made not have hit the mark on every point, being tempered by post WWII that sometimes throws an idea askew, but he does a good job at the most important point: This is what we should always keep in the forefront of our minds that we never want to have happen because ignorance will not steer us clearly away from it.

Outside of that the book is actually a pretty interesting read.

Rating:
Summary: Sam's thoughts on "1984"
Review: I chose to read the book 1984 as a literature circle book in my High School, World Literature class. I was a part of a group of 5 students who read the book. I had a fairly easy time understanding the book because of the help of the others in the group, but found some parts confusing. I had three weeks to read the book and had a hard time keeping up mainly because I don't normally read books in a short period of time. Nineteen eighty-four is about Big Brother and the ever watching government and just by reading it I felt like I was being watched by the government. Overall I thought this book was very interesting and a little far out. I would recommend this book to people who either like books that are far fetched or people who don't like the government. That's why I give this book a three out of five.

Rating:
Summary: the low down
Review: Not quite anarchy but still a direct rebellion on government. This is demonstrated in the book 1984. This story is based on a futuristic form of government mostly based on the ideals of a communist government but taken to an extreme. This book describes a world controlled with fear and kept clean and net by the brain washed colt the everyday man and women. All have been blinded by the shadows of big brother and kept there by an enormous army ready and willing to die for their cause.
George Orwell the author of 1984 and of the famous novel Animal Farm displays in both books how a society controlled by a totalitarian form of government cannot survive in the world as it is today. The way he has described big brother with a few exceptions changed and twisted shows the resemblance between the government in the book and what was happening in the world. I enjoyed the way he described the people as nothing but brain washed zombies mindless and more than willing to follow without question mindless the human race is the way anyone can be manipulated to be controlled and so easily lied to. This book specks a lot of truth and that's like a cold bucket of water in the face in the middle of a warm slow peaceful dream. The way he hits you with the truth of what could happen I differently received a new appreciation for the form of government e have established here in the United States.
I would only recommend this book to people that like reading books up on government or the corruptness of humans then I would totally suggest this book. Overall this book was an absolute delight to read it was interesting and suspenseful.

Rating:
Summary: Do not expect to read this on your Palm
Review: This book is NOT compatable with the Palm using Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm. I emailed Adobe for support and they informed me so. On their website it spicifically states that it is not compatable however the description on Amazon is misleading.

Rating:
Summary: This is an awesome book. Highly Recommend!!!!!
Review: To understand Orwell is to read his books. He is a fore-runner for so many things. What an inspiration. His "Big Brother" image gives insite into today's setting. Is the USA Big Brother or is Bush BIG Brother??? Hummm, you decide!!!

Ok, That's enough rant for one day.

Read This!!!!

Rating:
Summary: This is an awesome book. Highly Recommend!!!!!
Review: To understand Orwell is to read his books. He is a fore-runner for so many things. What an inspiration. His "Big Brother" image gives insite into today's setting. Is the USA Big Brother or is Bush BIG Brother??? Hummm, you decide!!!

Ok, That's enough rant for one day.

Read This!!!!