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A review by penguin_emperor_of_the_north
1984 by George Orwell
5.0
Ah, the good old days when the author had a message, that message is darn well getting through and maybe he'll fit some story in around the edges.
The most interesting part of this is the tactics of totalitarianism. Changing the story, redefining words, inculcating the people into self policing. That stuff's all interesting and useful to put the tactics down clearly.
Within the context of the story, I doubt that the Party is quite as immortal as they claim. For one, a world spanning empire run by sadistic, duplicitous psychopaths isn't going to be a particularly cooperative place. I can't imagine that everyone's going to go along with all the crap as long as they get their taste of power. Human nature is not infinitely malleable after all. And at some point there's going to be bread riots.
And O'Brien is apparently some mid level torturer who knows the inner workings and deep plans of the party? Sure, right, whatever you say.
But all of that does serve to drive home the horror of the tactics and endgame I mentioned above.
Overall, I'm glad that I read it.
The most interesting part of this is the tactics of totalitarianism. Changing the story, redefining words, inculcating the people into self policing. That stuff's all interesting and useful to put the tactics down clearly.
Within the context of the story, I doubt that the Party is quite as immortal as they claim. For one, a world spanning empire run by sadistic, duplicitous psychopaths isn't going to be a particularly cooperative place. I can't imagine that everyone's going to go along with all the crap as long as they get their taste of power. Human nature is not infinitely malleable after all. And at some point there's going to be bread riots.
And O'Brien is apparently some mid level torturer who knows the inner workings and deep plans of the party? Sure, right, whatever you say.
But all of that does serve to drive home the horror of the tactics and endgame I mentioned above.
Overall, I'm glad that I read it.