1984

Rating:
Summary: Here and now
Review: A number of reviews have stated that this work is dated and irrelevant today. It would be wise to realize how this is completely opposite of the truth. Doublespeak has dominated American life, such as the Gulf War in which war meant peace, and misery truly meant happiness. Power and money rule, and it could definitely be argued that we live under a totalitarian system of control in America. Beware of power. Orwell is turning over in his grave.

Rating:
Summary: Chillingly close to the bone
Review: Six years ago I was in a bookshop and on the shelf I saw a copy of George Orwell's "1984". I had often heard people mention this novel on TV in political discussions and so on without really knowing what they mean't. Out of curiosity I decided to buy the book and see what it was like. I quite enjoyed it, and later that year we had to read it for Year 12 English. What I found interesting were the reactions of the other kids. Some liked it, others found it boring, uneventful or irrelevant. I remember one boy saying: "But 1984 was nothing like that!" The point about this novel is that it isn't supposed to be like a Nostradamus prophecy. George Orwell was writing about the social conditions that existed at the time in which he was living. Shortages, censorship, government red tape and the manipulation of popular opinion. I'm not overly concerned with the book's issues of politics or whether it's been proved inacurrate or not. I like to think of this as the story of an "alternative" 1984, a look at how different the world might be if history went in a different direction. Other books that explore this theme are "The Man In The High Castle" and "Fatherland" which are both set in worlds where the Nazis had won the Second World War. These books revel in historical inaccuracy. I think "1984" still has some relevance though. Especially the way the media alter people's view of the world by deciding what we should and shouldn't see, or the way newspapers "enhance" photographs. An example that comes to mind is when a newspaper altered a photo of the killer Martin Bryant by putting more shadow around his eyes to make this ordianary-looking man look psychotic. George Orwell was right about the idea of people being under constant surveillance, now that hidden cameras abound, a device more subtle and unobtrusive than the telescreen. Even though we're not all wearing blue overalls and worshipping a demi god, free will is being undermined in a more insidious way. This novel has made an impact on other writers, particularly Anthony Burgess. He wrote a novel called "1985". The beginning of that novel descibes his version of how the world of Big Bother, Ingsoc and the Thought Police came about. This isn't a sequel, more of a reaction to the former book. In conclusion "1984" is an interesting book of a world that might have been, and might still be.

Rating:
Summary: I hated this book, it stunk.
Review: this book was horrible! i have read many other george orwell books and i didnt like them either! maybe its just me but i dont like this book at all! i had to read this book for my advance reading class (i'm in 7th grade) and i know seniors in high school that have JUST now their senior year reading this book. i dont know....maybe its just me....maybe i am not and advance enough reader to be readign this book, but i personally hate this book. i do not recomend this book to anyone excpets people who like to read bad books.

Rating:
Summary: This Totally Rocks
Review: "1984" has to be one the best albums ever, and definitely one of my favorite records. The production by Ted Templeton is excellent, and David Lee Roth's vocals are probably the finest to ever be put on vinyl. The highlight of the record is, in my opinion, the hit single "Jump." Once again, Eddie Van Halen's guitar work is the best in the business. Five stars, check it out!

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and very thought-provoking.
Review: This book at first seems so far away from the life we live that it is hard to compare to, unitl part two. One has to tolerate alot of abuse from this book, however, it does get the reader thinking about the numerous issues mentioned in 1984. THis book sounds boring, but it does keep the reader intriguied with its variety of vocablulary of the world of Big Brother.

Rating:
Summary: one is easily gripped by the horror and turmoil...
Review: One is easily gripped by the horror and turmoil of 1984. George Orwell's novel about a totalitarian state and how it, the government, controls all the people of the state and tries to control thought. The book had a subtle and interesting plot. Orwell's characters generally demonstrated the emotions received within the context of the story. Winston, Orwell's protagonist, acted as a human trying to hold on to what makes him human his, emotions and ability to think freely. Now could a totalitarian state exist as it is portrayed in 1984? Yes, it could occur if we as humans do not fight for the liberty indebted to us by God. We fight totalitarianism by proper education, proper families, and proper participation in society. If nothing, else the message one should get from the book is to simply vote. If we as humans do act lackadaisical with our participation in the democratic governments, then we could lose the freedoms our fore fathers fought so hard to win. That is why one should read this book. One does not have to like what 1984 says or represents. Readers should then learn that "Action is Freedom" and stop a totalitarianistic societies from existing. As a literary work I thought the 1984 was a little too wordy and unfortunately forced up high school students. The ending is not what I hoped for, but none-the-less I think people should read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Still very relevant
Review: As one of the people writing about the book here said, it was not meant to incite paranoia, it was about the evils of paranoia. Also, he was a socialist, so I cannot say that it was just propaganda. And don't forget that Communism isn't dead. There are still a few Communist countries out there, not to mention the many dictatorships. As for the book itself, it was pretty good, once you get into it. I like reading about different worlds myself, so I liked this aspect of it. The characters were also pretty cool. The ending was depressing but very very good. It is still very relevant, but I wouldn't recommend it for action fans.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent does not cut it
Review: Mr. Orwell or should i say Mr. Blair, Orwell was a pen name, tells one of the best stories you will ever read. This book from beginning to end is a true page turner. I could not put the book down. Every chance i got to read some of it i did. I actually gave up an extra hour of sleep to read some more. Winston, Julia, O'Brien they're all great characters that sprung from Orwell's mind. The mind that was almost prophetic in its predictions of the future. He may have been off by his date (1984) but he is correct in his predictions. That is if we do not stop it from happening. Well all i will say is that if you have not read this book yet do so. You will not regret it i promise you.

Rating:
Summary: Accurate beyond your nightmares . . .
Review: Huxley predicts the growth curve of our civilization with shocking accuracy. The race toward consumerism and away from the biological imperative is real. Somehow, Huxley looked out into the mist of time and saw it. This book will make you wonder whether you really want to go there.

Rating:
Summary: It rings false.
Review: The book has not much to say. It is just the common night-mares of its time. The contents can be discussed as a historical document.