1984
In 1984, London is a grim city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.
BUY THE BOOK
These clubs recently read this book...
Community Reviews
A very poignant story that reflects many current events 75 years after it's release. It's been burning in my mind to read this since high school, but now that I'm much older, I've gained better understanding of the characters because they reflect some of our experiences right now in America.
This book wasn't riveting in that it was a page-turner or anything, though it was interesting enough. There's a bit in the middle that's especially slow, though I think Orwell timed the moment of capture very well. Right in the middle of all this slowness, just when you start to think the book is getting boring, everything changes. This is a book you read for the idea of it rather than the actual feeling of reading it.
That being said, I say this book deserves the hype it gets. To have it be so relevant today when it was written so long ago is impressive. Many of the 'dystopian' parts are quite relatable. The telescreens, for example, remind me of the targeted ads you get from your phone collecting your data, or how the FBI used a single t-shirt to track down a protestor from a video online. Being unable to speak against the government and to have all content censored is basically a description of China right now. And the authority figure of Big Brother being somehow an immortal superhuman reminds me strongly of North Korea. This book is a message about power and what people will do to keep their power.
I'd recommend it... if I didn't think that basically everyone has at least heard of this book, and many have read it as well.
PS This book strangely reminded me of Jesus Camp actually...
That being said, I say this book deserves the hype it gets. To have it be so relevant today when it was written so long ago is impressive. Many of the 'dystopian' parts are quite relatable. The telescreens, for example, remind me of the targeted ads you get from your phone collecting your data, or how the FBI used a single t-shirt to track down a protestor from a video online. Being unable to speak against the government and to have all content censored is basically a description of China right now. And the authority figure of Big Brother being somehow an immortal superhuman reminds me strongly of North Korea. This book is a message about power and what people will do to keep their power.
I'd recommend it... if I didn't think that basically everyone has at least heard of this book, and many have read it as well.
PS This book strangely reminded me of Jesus Camp actually...
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.