Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

[paragonalley]

I generally don

[atticjnr]

I read Nineteen Eighty-Four not too long ago and found it very difficult to put down. I wished I had read it sooner and think I would actually quite like to find similar types of books.

I loved reading it and would definitely recommend it to anyone else!

[ian]

I remember reading it at school, and really enjoying it. I recently (i.e in the last 5 years) re-read it, and found that the last few pages where a bit preachy which I don't remember from school. I suppose it could be that we had a "school" version, in which the last pages were edited out. That would be ironic.

 

Still, if want bleak, read " The road to Wigan Pier"

 

Ian

[CrazyBlade]

Without a doubt this is my favourite book. It has such resonance in these times that its almost prophetic in some of its predictions. Wonderfully wrote, Orwell creates a world that is disturbing and fearsome. I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Vladd]

Anyone else here remember the series 1990 with Edward Woodward, read the books, if you can find them, compare them with the world today.

[runner]

have read twice and whils't enjloyable and gives a dismal view of the future it is somewhat plodding....not my fav book

[Mole]

I reread the book last year, its a really great read. I remember beign assigned it in school years ago and not being "convinced" by its story, now Im not so sure.

 

Look at how much freedom is lost already in the name of "Laura Norder", if anything the UK looks the closest in spirit, if not in deed (yet).

 

Place the following search terms in your browser if you want to worry. (I havent done the minimum posts to put links in yet so sorry)

 

Classrom spying.

 

School laptops and remote surveilance

 

Free laptops to kids UK.

 

Now if I were paranoid.......

[arewenearlythere]

I bet the book was a social commentary and time capsule for the hearts and minds of people in 1949 (1st publication). All the privacy concerns and governmental control issues in the book are now here in some form or another.

 

Of course I'm no history buff, what does everyone else think?

[Coffin Nail]

I read it a few years ago and its one of my favourites, as is Huxley's Brave New World.

The prophetic nature of these two books have informed the imaginations of some other novels I've read.

Ben Elton's Blind Faith springs to mind.

 

The torture scene in 1984 had a profound effect on me and it stayed with me for a very long time.

[nicholbb]

This is one of the few film versions of a book I would recommend (yes still read the book first as it will give you better insight), catch 22 would be the other one btw.

The cast is great and they kept as close to the book as I think any film could do. It was made in the same area and at the same time the book was set, knowing that seemed to add an extra chill factor.

[StephenKingman]

Having just read this book and read this thread, i would also like to add my thoughts. I agree that it is a very bleak and pessimistic novel but the themes of governmental control, the hierarchy of society and the nature of war is absolutely relevant to the times we live in. Some of his predictions with regards technology were perhaps a bit off but one could argue that the 'proloterian' class of society is monitored by mobile phones and email and cctv etc but mind you, Orwell states that the common person does not need to be watched as they do not have either the resources or intelligence to realize that the world is anything ither than what they see. A very true and powerful statement!

 

I sense from this book, as well as Animal Farm, that Orwell was deeply miserable about the nature and inequality of society i.e. rich are always rich, poor are always poor, the minority control the majority, all life is concerned with a power struggle amongst the rich 5% etc etc, he saw these harsh facts daily in his life and attempted to change them through a theme of rebellion both with Winston and Julia and the animals overthrowing the farmkeeper. A very intelligent man.

[Kidsmum]

I was quite young when i read 1984 & although i thought it was a good book i did find it depressing. Perhaps i'll reread it to see if i feel differently about it now i'm older.

[Janet]

I sense from this book, as well as Animal Farm, that Orwell was deeply miserable about the nature and inequality of society i.e. rich are always rich, poor are always poor, the minority control the majority, all life is concerned with a power struggle amongst the rich 5% etc etc, he saw these harsh facts daily in his life and attempted to change them through a theme of rebellion both with Winston and Julia and the animals overthrowing the farmkeeper. A very intelligent man.

I think you might like Coming up for Air, which, although different has the same theme of 'miserable poor'.

 

I love his books - I still have a couple to read - Keep the Aspidistra Flying (on mount 'to read'), Homage to Catalonia and Burmese Days - and his essays - I intend to read them all eventually.

 

From a non-fiction point of view, Down and Out in Paris in London is excellent.

[StephenKingman]

I think you might like Coming up for Air, which, although different has the same theme of 'miserable poor'.

 

I love his books - I still have a couple to read - Keep the Aspidistra Flying (on mount 'to read'), Homage to Catalonia and Burmese Days - and his essays - I intend to read them all eventually.

 

From a non-fiction point of view, Down and Out in Paris in London is excellent.

 

Yes, i intend to read a few more of his books thanks for the recommendation. I find him easily to be one of the most astounding authors i have ever read, in that his predictions about the future and government and even education were for the most part spot on. I have now read Animal Farm 3 times and each time i have gotten another message from it, a truly brilliant book.

[CyborgDreamSt8]

I read 1984 when I was probably in Junior High and I liked it, then I read it again as an adult and also liked it, though at that point it pretty much scared the hell out of me as I live in post 9/11 America where it almost became a reality after the attacks. This book is absolutely amazing to me, and I agree with every single person who has said this book is relevant today.

[Joe Reader]

definitely one of my all time favourite books - I keep returning to it - it's such a great read

[rykketid]

I think that the prophecy of Brave New World by Huxley is a more probable prophecy rather than the one of 1984, therefore if I had to choose between these two, I'd say that it's more likely that our society might head towards the Brave New World portrayed by Huxley rather than towards Orwell's scenario, it being understood that they are both dystopian novels.

 

Nonetheless Orwell was a great prophet and is one of my favourite English authors; I think that his idea of Newspeak is genial, but he took inspiration mainly from the European dictatorships that took over in many countries in the 20's and 30's, and that form of government is now over almost all across the world.

[HoneyGirl]

Wow I have to say, I am really wanting to read 1984 now after I have looked at this thread, it sounds really fascinating. I have never read it before - however my mum has the full works of George Orwell so I will be getting that out later for a gander. Thanks for the inspiration!

[paun]

This book was written about Burma and now it is true but only very much worst in real burma then even in this story.