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Summary: 1984 In a way, funny
Review: The book 1984 by George Orwell was in a way funny. It was somewhat odd and mysterious, but it was funny. It was funny because of how George Orwell viewed the future. He described secret organizations. I believe that this book was very good literature, but it gave a weird outlook on the year 1984. As an example George Orwell writes,"Winston feared for his life that the thought police would track him down if he dared keep writing in the diary." Even so for a person who loves reading about what could have been and the odd ways history could have happened, this George Orwell classic is all for you, and I recommend it. For those that prefer a more realistic novel, like me, aim for another author and book of your choice.
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Summary: Poignant and disturbing
Review: The scene in the upper room above the junk shop where Winston and Julia lie on a threadbare blanket-as a man and woman must have done before, free to be together, to feel and to love. Then the arrest, the voice commanding them to not move, brainwashed into unquestioning obedience, they stand at attention, naked, waiting for the mind police to come take them away. Never a thought to run, to resist, to escape somehow. Abject despairing surrender before the absolute power and authority of the State/Big Brother. I never quite got over that scene. The supine, complacent citizens of Oceania were even less prepared to rebell than Winston. Now I have recently read Jerry Furland's "Transfer-the end of the beginning" and I see a new Oceania, infinitely more subtle, and with fewer doubts as to it's potential. I would like to see a movie done of "Transfer". Maybe some independent film company will see the same promise. Like 1984, it is a novel about the future-no less terrifying than Orwell's long loved classic, it needs mass market exposure too.
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Summary: A book that gives me a new outlook on life
Review: This book has changed my vision of natural human nature. I have found many events and characteristics of the Party to be preshadowings of organizations I see everyday. It also showed me how an evil administration can distroy a love that was so strong. This book is scary and too real.
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Summary: Like eating brussel sprouts,
Review: reading this book wasn't a lot of fun, but it was good for me. It's a classic for a reason, and should be required reading not necessarily for high school students, but at least for frosh/soph college students. The scenario is extreme and highly unlikely, but serves as a good and fair warning from an age when totalitarianism was a frighteningly real threat to humanity. If you haven't read it, pick up a copy - it's cheap, and it'll do you good.
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Summary: A haunting blueprint for oppression
Review: This book is a great read, but is also quite disheartening. The society described in the book is inconceivable to some, but it's hard to argue that we aren't moving in that direction. I challenge anyone to disagree after reading this with an open mind. The highlight of the book is a manifesto that the main character, Winston Smith, must read. It shows Orwell's ingenious insight to mankind's role in it's own oppression. I couldn't help but agree with so much of what was said, at the same time realizing how much it seemed to trivialize the work of all civil rights activists. Highly recommended, particularly if you enjoyed stories such as "V for Vendetta" or movies like "American History X" and "The Matrix".
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Summary: The Greatest Book I Have Ever Read
Review: Somehow, 1984 strikes a nerve deeper than any other book I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Its ideas the ideas of its main character, Wilson, as well as its author, George Orwell, provide a deep perception into the organization of modern politics. All generations can enjoy this story, a story that will definitely never go out of date. It's characters are identifiable and its ending, one as shocking as any, provides a look at the life that Wilson must lead, and the life that many of the stroy's readers go through every day.
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Summary: Comment on review
Review: The main theme isn't a love story by far,it's suppression and total control, it's a doom scenario. It's difficult to say anything new, after having read a couple of reviews, they all say the same. I would like to add that the writing style is boring, it isn't a book that you would read none stop. It is however a "contemporary" warning for the dangers of information control that is becoming more and more an issue of today. Read it, for it is a classic and a warning. 5 stars for the contents -1 star for the style
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Summary: Garbage and other phrases...
Review: Give me a break. The writing was lousy, the concepts and ideas were questionable...sorry, but one star is pushing this book. Orwell underestimated the human animal and its tenacity in the face of oppression...his complete and utter takeover of society w/ "Big Brother" just wouldn't last, even if it could happen. People have oral histories...ones you cannot erradicate...just ask various peoples around the world who survived oppression despite attempts at stopping their stories and changing their cultures. Let Orwell's work die as a curiosity...
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Summary: Highly impacting
Review: This book is incredible and terrifying, it is well-written and the topic is highly salient to our time. This is about more than communism, but about humanity. If you have read We, by Yvegeny Zamyatin, you really must read 1984. (I, for some reason, read them in that order) I would say that 1984 is the superior. Erich Fromm's afterword is worthwhile, additionally, it is quite short and readable.
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Summary: Not according to schedule, but maybe someday?
Review: Could it still happen? The ultimate totalitarian state that Orwell foresaw? Not in every detail but *1984* got ahold of my imagination to such an extent that it still gives me the willies to contemplate. It's almost a shame Orwell didn't name the book "2034" or "2084" so that literal-minded school boards could still make it required reading. It's a masterpiece and remains to be one. The story of Winston Smith's battle to keep his individuality and integrity will not grow old.
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