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A review by literalottie
1984 by George Orwell
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I mean, what is there to say about 1984 that hasn't already been said? It's a classic, and for good reason.
I went into this somehow having the impression that it would be a difficult read. However, having read Animal Farm and now this, I can say that one of the things I most admire about Orwell's writing is how clear it is, and how easy it is to understand his message while still leaving plenty of room for complexity, nuance and analysis. In fact, sometimes Orwell is a bit too straightforward here - the only reason I'm bumping half a star off is because of the lengthy, political theory infodump shoved into the middle of the book that serves no purpose except to spell out what anyone paying attention can already work out (even Winston notes at the end of it that he'd learnt nothing new!).
But overall, I'm glad I finally got around to reading this. I was already mostly familiar with the story, as much of the book's key phrases and images are pervasively referenced, and I've also somehow managed to see not one, but two stage adaptations of it in the past. And yet, despite knowing all the major "twists", it still gripped me and kept me invested until the very end. 1984 definitely lives up to its reputation as a chilling, yet important dystopian.
I went into this somehow having the impression that it would be a difficult read. However, having read Animal Farm and now this, I can say that one of the things I most admire about Orwell's writing is how clear it is, and how easy it is to understand his message while still leaving plenty of room for complexity, nuance and analysis. In fact, sometimes Orwell is a bit too straightforward here - the only reason I'm bumping half a star off is because of the lengthy, political theory infodump shoved into the middle of the book that serves no purpose except to spell out what anyone paying attention can already work out (even Winston notes at the end of it that he'd learnt nothing new!).
But overall, I'm glad I finally got around to reading this. I was already mostly familiar with the story, as much of the book's key phrases and images are pervasively referenced, and I've also somehow managed to see not one, but two stage adaptations of it in the past. And yet, despite knowing all the major "twists", it still gripped me and kept me invested until the very end. 1984 definitely lives up to its reputation as a chilling, yet important dystopian.