1984

I reread this classic work by George Orwell hoping to get more out of it now than when I was 20 when I read it for the first time. I did, and not only because I had changed (and...ahem...matured) but because our society has too. Back in the early nineties, cell phones, the internet and social media were in their infancy or not yet born. But now, with facebook, Twitter and texting, the sobering thought of having a Big Brother always watching is more reality than fiction.
Orwell seems to have known that one day our reality would be heavily influenced by our own perception of what is real, and not on the actual events or people involved. One need only look at the myriad websites postulating that historic events like the Moon Landing in 1969 and the terrorist attacks in New York in 2001 were part of an elaborate plan by the American government to "push" its people towards a particular political or social agenda. Now, I am not saying these events did not happen as described by the media, but the moment people start to question the authenticity of these events, you have to wonder whose point of view is "reality".
Oh, and I checked with a math teacher friend of mine, and 2 + 2 still equals 4...for now.

Well, a lot has been said about this book by reviewers on this site, and by the literary world at large. I would just like to add that "Nineteen Eight-Four" would have to be one of the greatest books I have ever read, and certainly the greatest dystopian thriller ever produced. It truly makes you think the world around you and not only in terms of governmental power but also media, the internet etc.

Highly recommended!

"WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH"

Imagine the world where your every move is being watched. The world where no real history exists- you have to believe what you're being told, even the most outrageous changes in the country's time line. Imagine the world where there is no love, friendship or even hate. What would you do if there was no escaping the Big Brother?
Talking about a dystopian novel you have to at least mention Orwell's "1984". Right from the beginning you get the strong feeling of wrongness - how people are manipulated or more like, played with. How they can not do one move without being watched. That, however is not the worst part of the story to me. What literally scared me to death is that the government knew peoples' deepest and worst fears and used it against them. I can not even begin to imagine someone trying to make me talk or change my beliefs that way. I would give up right away - and if you think you wouldn't you're wrong.
As the main character's case proved, there is no love, no belief stronger than fear. Very disturbing.
Orwell made it all feel real and very possible. It makes you think that maybe our world isn't all that bad...

George Orwell's world is very real, mimicking and embelishing history at the same time. Through the eyes of Winston we begin to see the true terror of totalitarism and the role such a government has in controlling the human heart, mind and spirit.

The novel is definitely one of a kind and is worth a read just for the sake of discovering its ability to cause an uproar in the literary world at the time it was published.

However, as excited as I was to read this particular classic, it seems that I have expected too much. Although I found the subject interesting, the story took too long to unravel and contained some sections which I think were unecessary or that could have been brought into the story much more elegantly.

I became absolutely frustrated with Winston and his insurmountable weaknesses by the end of the novel. I also thought that the informational dump that the reader has to deal with near the end is just insufferable! It was interesting to read about the inner workings the society Winston lives in but I felt like the same idea, the same information was just repeated over and over.

If you can sit through pages of depressing words and chapters of unnerving boredom, give the book a try. Otherwise, watch the movie instead.

A book by Orwell that I WILL strongly recommend is 'Animal Farm' it is allegorical and far more entertaining than 1984 although they both allude to the same theme.

This book wasn't that bad. However, even though it didn't appeal to my interests, I still enjoyed it. The book is about how the government is watching everyone and controlling their lives through BIG BROTHER. However, this book is a little bit much in terms of lack of privacy, but you never do know if you are being watched, do you? The main character starts to question his freedom and privacy and falls in love with a woman who is in the same position. Can Big Brother really control you?? Find out.

This story seems so real; I just couldn't put it down! When reading the book I found myself moving in and out of reality - it was kind of scary how deep I got into it but it was definiely worth reading.

A haunting and tragic tale of a dystopic existence under a totalitarian regime, told by one of the best political writers of our time. This is a classic that is quoted in everyday popular culture, from 'Big Brother' to NewSpeak. It's a timeless work of 'Fiction,' and is a must have for all bookshelves.

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I found it somewhat depressing, but a good read. Ayn Rand's "Anthem" is similar to this, albeit contrarily optimistic. I used to prefer Anthem, but now I prefer 1984, as it is more realistic, whereas Anthem is more idealistic. But aside from comparing it to other works, I consider it a fine must-read for anyone.

1984 by George Orwell portrays a dystopian society, set in the United Kingdom, which is ruled by hate. 1984 is easy to understand and kept me interested throughout, except for some pages that are about the book. The ending was amazing and complete, something that I had not imagined would happen, it did not leave me wondering what would.

George Orwell was a political writer, and so he wrote 1984 in the year 1948, as his prophetic vision and a warning that "...unless the course of history changes, men all over the world will lose their most human qualities, will become soulless automatons, and will not even be aware of it." (313)

Winston Smith is middle-aged and a low-ranking member of the ruling Party. The Party watches their workers under twenty-four hour surveillance, through telescreens that are everywhere. The Party, whose leader is known as Big Brother, controls everything in the nation of Oceania, including the history and language. To think rebellious thoughts is a crime and is illegal, it is referred to as a thoughtcrime.

Winston's job is to change history by rewriting newspaper articles to match the new truth that is decided by the Party. One of the Party's slogans is: "He who controls the past, controls the future." However, Winston is unable to think the same way as others do.

I am sure that everyone will enjoy reading this exciting novel.

I recommend this book to anyone no matter how knowledgeable they are at politics. For those who are new to the world of politics this book will be shocking. It might even get you interested in politics. As a citizen I strongly believe that power can be dangerous in the hands of a small group of people. The first time I read this book I did not believe in it but as I thought about it more, things started to change. I started to see the world in a different way. The rest of this review will go into the context of the book, so don't continue reading this if you haven't read 1984.


I think the society of Oceania and our society today are very much a like. It doesn't seem like when you think about it first, but if you were to think deeper, the similarities are countless. Our world is always controlled by government just like Big Brother does in 1984.

First of all, something very obvious is the U.S.A fighting over in Iraq. The government of U.S.A is trying to put us under 'Orange alert' just to get more money for their war. This is the same as what they did in 1984, where the 'telescreen' points an enemy of Oceania as a reason for war.

Secondly, there is a 'Ministry of truth' in today society as well. In every news paper and book, the truth is hard to find. When ever something big happens, the media publish news papers and reports that are manipulated by government officials to defend their own ends. On the day of the 9/11, who knew for sure that Osama Bin laden was behind it, but since it was what media said we started to fear of him. This changed everything, now North America is a target of some terrorist or that's what we believe in.

I thank you for reading my comments and I hope you took something out of it. So the next time you watch news or read the paper be aware of what is on it and try to understand what is really going on behind the curtains supported by your government.

This book was crazy!
It's a creepy concept that often gave me chills as I read it. This political tale of corruption is a masterpiece of work, and what's most amazing is the fact that it was written in the early 1940s, yet if someone was to read 1984 back then, they would probably think Orwell was completely off his rocker... however, in today's world it's not hard to imagine it being an appropriate diction/view/warning of where this world could be headed. Eek! :) Like I said; creepy... but a brilliant novel.

Definitely an interesting look into the potential future of society. Unlike some who have read the book, I do not feel that a totalitarian regime of this type is all that unlikely. In fact, I was startled to realize that there were definite similarities between the Party and the government of George Bush. Here are a few examples (note, if you have not read the book and do not want any specific content revealed, please ignore the following):

The second that I heard "victory gin" or "victory coffee", my thoughts drifted back to Bush's "freedom fries".

On page 213, the book mentions that "... practices which had been long abandoned, in some cases for hundreds of years-imprisonment without trial ... torture to extract confessions ... - not only became common again, but were tolerated and even defended by people who considered themselves enlightened and progressive."
Sound familiar?

Further similarities include maintaining an "atmosphere of war", through the use of phrases such as "war on terror", and by keeping people on their toes using the homeland security level.

My only complaint was that the plot was rather dry in some instances. For example, the chapters that Winston read in "The Book" were a little too lengthy in my opinion.. Still, this is definitely a brilliant piece of writing ... perhaps the best account of a dystopian society that I have ever encountered.

I thought this was a great book. I can write about it, but i think this clip will give you the best indication about what's in store:

"Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it. Every concept that can ever be needed will be expressed by exactly ONE word, with its meaning rigidly defined and all its subsidiary meanings rubbed out and forgotten. "

this has to be the worst book i have ever read.... every single page was boring... and the main character is so whiny and boring too.... the only reason i had to read the whole book was because i read it for school... i will never read this book ever again.

Is it possible for civilization to become so advanced, that instead of advancing forward, society would have to backtrack? George Orwell certainly believed so. At the end of the 1940s, Orwell could see this conundrum taking place in the very near future; in fact, in 1984. That is exactly what he wrote the book Nineteen Eighty-Four about.

In a world where thought is a crime and everyone's every move is being scrutinized, our protagonist, Winston Smith, is slowly coming to terms with society's lack of freedom. One's every move must be done with care, as the smallest deviation from the norm could result in death by torture. With the advance of technology and the power of The Party, Orwell's imagined world of 1984 is frightening yet revealing at the same time.

In this futuristic society of Oceania where everyone desires equal wealth and freedom, The Party feels obliged to control the hierarchy of the nation. Through stunning and impressive logic, Orwell explains the three basic principles that The Party is justified to base society on: war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength.

Orwell's remarkable masterpiece of a tale raises and exposes some stunning ethical issues that the world faces today. He cleverly questions the nature of man, love, and the individual, and the right to power in modern society. Although he portrays a world that may seem far-fetched and unrealistic, it is shocking and unnerving at the number of resemblances the terrifying world of Nineteen Eighty-Four bears to our society.

A must read for any mature teen over the age of 14, Nineteen Eighty-Four offers some fresh and realistic insights into the complex world of international politics today.

This book is full of wonderful imagery. 1984, was published is 1949, and was wat George Orwell thought what the future would look like. Powerful Governments and manipulation, was what he thought we had to look forward to. Was Orwell wrong? This has been a debate topic for many years. "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him." I think this book is simply amazing, and you shouldn't be turned off by its many pages!

"It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath is ran…"
Big Brother, Thought Police, Room 101. These are words that are commonly used in the English language, yet many are ignorant as to where they have come from. Without realizing it George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four has leeched into modern society. The words in question are not by themselves frightful but when used in the context of Nineteen Eighty-Four, they paint a horrifying picture. Big Brother is a seemingly omnipotent being who watches and enforces control over the citizens of Oceania. Thought Police is an organization that seeks out anti-government ideas and actions and brainwashes the citizens of Oceania to follow the beliefs of the masses. Room 101 is the room that reveals and holds your greatest fears. These words emphasize the terror in the novel of Nineteen Eighty-Four, the novel its self is the greatest work of George Orwell whoes dystopian novels remind us of the true cost of freedom.

The World of 1984 is one of the most memorable things about the novel. The world is divided amongst three superpowers, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. These nations are ruled by totalitarian and seemingly fascist governments who flood their nations with lies and misinformation designed to manipulate the population. The three nations are seemingly always warring with each other, when in fact the war is a lie, an excuse to oppress the citizens and deny them freedoms. The novel itself is centered around three people, Winston Smith who works for the Ministry of Truth changing the news and history to suit the will of the leaders and Julia, a young woman who falls in love with Winston, despite the dangers that their love poses on them. Finally is O'Brian, a senior member of the Party who outwardly develops a friendship with Winston over their hatred of the ruling caste.
The story is riveting and full of amusing parts and the twist at the end will shock and terrify you. The story of Nineteen Eighty-Four is not the shock that one gets from watching a horror movie, or seeing a sickening or gory scene. The horror in this book is the insidious horror of realizing that what you believe and stand for might be a lie.

When we look a Nineteen Eighty-Four, we must look at what caused George Orwell to create such a epic tale. But before we can look any further, we must understand that George Orwell wrote this, not as a work of fiction, or even a warning. George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four as a prophetic suggestion, not of what could happen, but what would happen. George Orwell's other work speak for his predilection for writing novels about dystopia and oppression. His novel Burmese Days discusses the waning days of imperialism, and the power of the few over the many. One of his other, more famous works Animal Farm examined the roots of totalitarianism and the effects on a people, George Orwell always believed that a revolution would come whether it would be a Socialist/Communist Revolution from the workers, or a Fascist revolution from the leaders. He also believed the fact that no matter how well intentioned it would be, all revolutions would end in tyranny and oppression. George Orwell's thought about revolution, tyranny and what the future would hold come together to form a cohesive and deceptively frightening novel about the year 1984.

"You asked me once," said O'Brien, "what was in Room 101. I told you that you know the answer already. Everybody knows. The thing in Room 101 is the worst thing in the world."

1984 is in some ways, so close to today's society: big brother, surveillance, fear, etc... I definitely recommend this book

Orwell wrote 1984 in 1948 and it was published shortly after. Over 50 years ago he wrote about a lot of technology that we use on a daily basis now. In this totalitarianist society the government controls everything you do... and THINK! Although that isn't the case for us today, much of what Orwell writes about is possible in the not so distant future. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who loves to read.

This book is the portrayal of what it truly means to be living in a totalitarianist society. It is highly descriptive throughout the entire novel. You can read it countless times and it will never occur to you that you have already read it. Orwell did a terrific job with this novel and I would recommend it to anyone!