paragonalley Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 I generally don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atticjnr Posted October 25, 2009 Share Posted October 25, 2009 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyBlade Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladd Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Anyone else here remember the series 1990 with Edward Woodward, read the books, if you can find them, compare them with the world today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 have read twice and whils't enjloyable and gives a dismal view of the future it is somewhat plodding....not my fav book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted March 28, 2010 Share Posted March 28, 2010 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....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arewenearlythere Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffin Nail Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholbb Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenKingman Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenKingman Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyborgDreamSt8 Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Reader Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 definitely one of my all time favourite books - I keep returning to it - it's such a great read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rykketid Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyGirl Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paun Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 This book was written about Burma and now it is true but only very much worst in real burma then even in this story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.