1984

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Summary: A Haunting Journey into a World that Echoes of Our Own
Review: 1984 is considered a classic for a reason. Having recently read it for the first time I discovered why. 1984 took me on a dark journey through a world of oppression, an oppression of the human spirit on the most basic levels. I'm sure this is greatly detailed in other reviews so I'll stop at that. Orwell intricately describes the political setup of the powers and the methods of population control - something that I discover is becoming more and more part of our daily lives. Also this novel is a wakening call to the present trends in international politics. Big Brother is coming and is just as easy to set up in the Western Capitalist countries as it is the past Communists. 1984 is the alarm. With all these merits the book does lack a little in Orwell's prose, however with his harsh call to vigiliace and the thrilling story it does more than rectify the small faults. Read it, and remember, Big Brother is watching.

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Summary: The Most Important Book of the 20th Century
Review: It is perfect and brilliant in all areas. 1984 is also one of the most misunderstood books of all time. It wasn't simply a Stalinist bash or a sequel to Animal Farm (philosophically, not literally). It was both those things, but it was, and is so much more. In a nightmarish future, Winston Smith is just an average citizen of Airstrip One. He works at the Ministry of Truth, he spends his evenings at the community center, he even helps his neighbor when the plumbing goes bad. Yet there is turmoil in Winston's mind. He hates Big Brother, he hates Oceania and Airstrip One, and he wants simply to be human. But in his society, these thoughts are a crime. Now Big Brother is a TV show, but here it is no entertainment: it demands your thinking. 1984 has been liberally borrowed from (the Command and Conquer video game series, The Matrix, that TV series, etc.) and is more than a political novel: to call it that narrows its scope. It is an inflection on humanity and the human spirit, and a look at that age-old dissenting philosophy. Yet the way O'Brien just attacks everything Smith believes in late in the book just makes you wonder about what you believe in. Truly monumental, and I can't write a review on a great work and stay coherent. Enjoy.

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Summary: george orwell, 1984
Review: this is an amazing book. although it's non-fiction, it almost scares you into beleiving that you're living in their society. very thought-provoking, and very powerful. hard to believe that it was written so long ago.

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Summary: Worrying but wholely essential
Review: The only reason there could possibly be for not reading this book is being scared of the truth. For it is surely one of the most essential books ever. To read it is be engaged.
1984 tells the story of a world where state control goes so far that all liberty and freedom is destroyed. To dismiss its existance in reality is a mistake. For this has been not so far from reality in the world before. Your freedom is violated because your every move is being watched, censored. You will be punished for anything you say or do which isn't in line. A new way of 'speaking' is brought about, where all your expression is impossible.
Of course 1984 is a highly political and complex book, more so than Orwell's other classic animal farm, which, while very political and a funny take on Communism, was neither truly disturbing nor difficult to understnad. The concepts covered challenge thought, and occasionally you will have to stop and think. Just a warning: its not exactly summer beach reading.

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Summary: Thought-provoking book
Review: Eric Arthur Blair, under the pen name of George Orwell, wrote 1984 because of his concern of the spread of communism. It is a dark, gothic look at what society could become if the spectre of communism led to totalitarianism. Essentially, it is a more graphic and adult version of his Animal Farm, with people. It is told by a nameless narrator who knows all the goings-on in the world of the future, and follows the life of a middle-aged citizen of Oceania, Winston Smith, who is an employee in the Ministry of Truth. 1984 is not plot-driven, nor is it based on character development (these aspects are still present, however). The primary focus of the book is the setting. We are given the world as it could have become in 1984. Of course, we are not in a situation like that, but the threat of such a situation is still present. This differentiates it from other books, although there is never a reason to dislike or fear something new before trying it. Orwell believed it to be the most effective way to explain the world of 1984, and I think it is effective. If the focus were on the characters or the plot, a high proportion of the messages would have to be interpreted, rather than explained in detail. Different interpretations could mean that certain events make no sense, and discussion would be difficult. Some people may have missed some meanings altogether. By explaining his 'apocalyptic' vision of the future in complete detail, Orwell is able to get the entirety of his message to his readers. Orwell is a very articulate and imaginative writer. The world he depicts is divided into three world powers - Oceania, Eastasia and Eurasia. The Party controls Oceania, the setting of the novel. Big Brother (a parallel to Napoleon from Animal Farm, or Stalin in real life) is at the apex of the social pyramid. He is the father-figure worshipped by the citizens. The Inner Party comprises 2% of the population, and the Outer Party 15%. The remainder consists of the dumb masses, or 'proles'. Any sign of unorthodoxy is dealt with swiftly and harshly by the Thought Police (a parallel to the dogs, the American secret service or Russian KGB). The telescreens that are planted in the walls receive and transmit information simultaneously. The Thought Police use these to keep their citizens under surveillance. Children are turned against their own parents through the use of spy camps and worship of Big Brother. 1984 is partially a look at how easily children can be manipulated and what happens when it goes wrong. Ironically, the people with the least intelligence are given the highest degree of freedom. They do not pose a threat. The chances of an uprising are non-existent because the proles believe anything they are told, and do not take material facts into consideration. Three of the Party's main slogans: 'War is Peace', 'Freedom is Slavery' and 'Ignorance is Strength' are swallowed without question by the majority of the population. The reasons for this, and how the Party pulls it off, are explained in detail later on. The Party was meticulous in its planning. Any totalitarian system requires a scapegoat. In Oceania, it is Emmanuel Goldstein (John Lenin), the subject of the Two Minutes Hate. The Brotherhood is the rebel group that follows Goldstein's teachings, and undermines the Party at any opportunity. The narrator shows us the thoughts that run through Winston's mind, and how he longs for freedom of thought. He meets the book's loveinterest, Julia, whom he disgusts at first glance and lusts after, due to his own failed marriage and her beauty. She wears a chastity scarf, symbolising her (supposed) contempt for sex, part of the reason for his lust - he believes he can never have her. The message here is the desire for that which is forbidden. He later learns that Julia is a rebel, but in a different way, "only from the waist down", according to Winston. They find a secret hiding place without a telescreen, and are invited to join the Brotherhood by O'Brien. As it turns out, this is when their troubles truly begin. Orwell describes in detail how the Party came into power, its motives and its true objectives. The full implication and repercussions of these revelations are unfurled in the final riveting part of the novel. However, there are flaws in the exploration of the society. We are not given a sufficient view into the eyes of the older generation that lived through the Revolution. Winston only questions one old prole in a pub, and appeared to give up his inquiry too early. 1984 is a very mature book, and I would only recommend it to people who can grasp similar concepts. If the reader is too young, they may dismiss the book as boring. It may seem so at first, but the novel will make more sense with some thought and, possibly, subsequent readings. If you enjoyed Brave New World, you will enjoy 1984, and even if you didn't, you may still like it. This is a philosopher's book.

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Summary: A Warning For The Future
Review: George Orwell's 1984 is not a prediction of the future, but more of a warning of where mankind could be heading. Written in the year 1948, this book is a satiric statement of what might come to pass if people did not take action against the problems facing the world. These problems include totalitarianism, fascism, and - most importantly - the use of language to alter thought. This form of mind-control is what gives a lasting impression on anyone who reads this book. Humans are separate from the animal kingdom because of their ability to grasp abstract concepts (love, hate, etc.) In 1984, people no longer have any privacy, the ruling class spy into their homes, and frighteningly - their THOUGHTS. Anyone guilty of a thought-crime (harboring thoughts against the government) is tortured until they "reconsider." They are eventually brainwashed through this torture, and the final result is a citizen drained of his personal thoughts and devoted to the government. This thought-provoking satire left a lasting impression on me and I would recommend it to anyone. The symbolism, the characters, and the plot make this story a must-read.

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Summary: Shocking and Thought Provoking
Review: The first time I read this book I could not help but think of all the forms of voyuerism in the world today. After only a few pages I was wondering how close to Orwell's nightmerish vision of the future we are. When will such privacy invading programs such as "Big Brother" (which takes its name from a central figure in this book) and "Survivor" evolve to the point that everyone is watched all the time. Will paranoia push privacy out the door? The Telescreen wasn't the only ominous foreshadowing in the novel. The fliud way The Party wipes out intellectualism is reminiscant of the constant "dumbing down" of entertainmenty today. Am I the only one who has noticed the decreased standards of quality in movies? Overall I highly reccomend 1984. Not only is it an excellent book, it is almost an essential read. In order to avoid the atrocities of Orwell's imagined world, we must learn how to avoid them. I will admit,though, this is not for the faint of heart. This is a moody and cynical book throughout.

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Summary: Excellently written novel
Review: Orwell does such a great job expressing his point in this novel. 1984 had a very interesting and thoughtful plot which made the book hard to put down. The first 30 pages were hard to get into but after that it was easy reading. The ending of the novel was a little disturbing but it was so keenly written that the author deserves so much credit for it. If u like thoughtful haunting books read it!

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Summary: "Negative Utopia"
Review: This book is a story on George Orwell's vision of 1984 whilst living in the year 1989. Instead of the beautiful visions some of us have for future and technology right now, George Orwell writes about the nightmarish vision of 1984 and it's "Negative Utopia".

The year is 1984. You fall into a world containing our main character, Winston Smith. Winston lives in a world of control and brilliance. He lives under the power of Big Brother who is practically treated like a god of mankind. Big Brother created the history you read now, Big Brother is everything, you will serve Big Brother.

WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

You must use Newspeak and you must not use Oldspeak but Newspeak is being updating so much that you could find yourself half illiterate the very next day. There are telescreens in rooms and on the streets to watch your ever move and if you think anything that is not righteous of Big Brother then the "Thought Police" come after you in the night. You are told that you are not living but that you are serving Big Brother and that Big Brother is the only person living. You aren't even sure that anything is real, but you are worried of thinking these thoughts in case you are caught. Once a person is caught and taken away to the Ministry of Love (maintains law and order)-they do not return. This is the world that Winston lives in.

There is to be said a society called The Brotherhood. But you can never be sure of it because everything is so secretive. And one day Winston gets hold of a diary. It is not right to write in a diary or express your thoughts but he does so anyway. Half sure that he will be killed and half sure that it's something that he must do. And from the start of opening his mind to reality he realises that most of the things he 'thinks' he knows aren't really facts at all. It was true, Big Brother made the past, was the past, is the future too-because Big Brother erased everything else and corrected history at his own will.

And then he meets a person who thinks with the same thoughts he has...and then another..and then another...and slowly he finds out that there really IS a Brotherhood to maybe let out the truth.

The book is a very worthwhile read. It's also similar to Ayn Rand's ANTHEM. The end is surprising and yet imaginable and interesting to think about and discuss.

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Summary: A deserving classic
Review: This novel was what first got me into Orwell. It is a frightening cautionary tale of what life could be like under a ruthless and nearly invincible totalitarian government. Those who enjoyed this will probably also enjoy "Brave New World" and "Farenheit 451."