blackbird9805's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
barnleke's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
abbyramsbottom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
itsmytuberculosis's review against another edition
3.0
George Orwell takes you on the interesting journey of Winston Smith a 38 year old party worker who falls into a true Romeo/Juliet lust relationship with fellow party worker Julia.
The world of 1984 is one that seems completely impossible yet absurdly realistic. There is no unheard of technology like in many of the current dystopian novels. The world is a full scale panopticon where everybody wants to do something but out of the fear of others no one does. Winston is on of the few open eyed people of how the party is erasing the past to make them seem like the all knowing and all powerful government. As the book states, "Those who control the present control the past, and those who control the past control the present."
My only complaint is that the way the book is written there are about 200 pages of exposition where you are just learning abut how Oceania functions before the really interesting story happens.
The world of 1984 is one that seems completely impossible yet absurdly realistic. There is no unheard of technology like in many of the current dystopian novels. The world is a full scale panopticon where everybody wants to do something but out of the fear of others no one does. Winston is on of the few open eyed people of how the party is erasing the past to make them seem like the all knowing and all powerful government. As the book states, "Those who control the present control the past, and those who control the past control the present."
My only complaint is that the way the book is written there are about 200 pages of exposition where you are just learning abut how Oceania functions before the really interesting story happens.
oliwiadolot's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best required readings!!!
Depressing yet so interesting. The ending is just
Depressing yet so interesting. The ending is just
proudlocks's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, I honestly believe the world will be like this eventually. Thousands of books are coming out now, years later based on this theme, it seems to be the 'trend', but nothing quite beats the origional.
w333d_w0rm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book superseded my expectations
Spoiler
The ending was heartbreakingly realistic. This book should be a requirement for every person on earth to read. The way it tackles totalitarianism, the constructed language in the book was incredible. especially when the appendix goes to to much more detail on how oppressive the truth of newspeak really is. you do get the idea while reading the book but even more so at the end. I felt sorry for Julia, Winston even Parsons and Symes surprisingly. The journey through Winstons eyes was sometimes so violent or anxiety inducing or paranoid, i couldn't tear my eyes away from the page. Towards the end i felt like i lost my mimd with him. My heart broke at the realization of the decrepit broken old man he had become. The bleak acceptance that there may never be a change in the minds of individuals because BigBrother has realized every psychological advantage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Torture, War, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Body horror, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, and Physical abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Vomit
Spoiler
I think the world can benefit from reading this book and knowing Winston’s story. The amount of commonalities between the book and the world we already live in brings dread to my stomach. What makes me dread it even more is the final message in the book which is that an individual no matter what they believe has no choice but to go with the flow of the collective mind. Even if the collective is wrong, the individual alone can’t fight the current nor can they change the power in which controls the current of the collective minds. An individual WONT change the “party” aka gov’s kind if their (gov) only concern is gaining more and more power. Each day I pray that the small sect of people that want to uprise against their gov will find each other and with all their might (together) push against the wrongness that’s been perpetuated in the first place… I feel sorry that Winston quite literally got the fire put out from him. I think everyone can learn something vital from this novelmetalicbeast's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
g_jain22's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0