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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This book is a hard one to rate for me. I was hoping that I was picking up a feminist retelling of 1984, however whilst there were some moment this was true, overall this was not the case. I was intrigued by Newman's decision to retell 1984 from Julia's perspective, considering how misogynistic, sexist and homophobic Orwell was. I truly wanted to see more from Julia's perspective and dive into the character, and whilst this is what the book delivered, overall it was lacking. The book reads very fanfic esque, which isnt always a bad thing im certainly happy to read that kind of thing, but the language used often made me take it less seriously than its counterpart. The pacing and the very obvious "Julia is special" was quiet boring to read, and whilst I was sometimes enthralled by the decisions, the writing style and storytelling really didn't work.
Something I did quiet enjoy is how Newman did not shy away from pointing out how much of a weenie, naive and bad guy Winston is. Because he is, in 1984 and in this version. He's a horrible man and hes a wet wipe, and im glad we leaned into the satire of him and many of the other men in it, which works not only for the world where men and women are prone to hate each other, but also because its true.
The last part was really where I decided this book was two stars, just utter fanfic esque ending and it really turned me off it. I thought overall that I enjoyed it more, but then I realised, what I enjoyed was rhe already existing world Orwell had created, because despite who he is and the misogynistic comments, the world he built is brilliant and Newman built off this. I think that im glad light was brought to Julia in this book, and its important to give spotlight to women who have been diminished by men, but I fear this was not how to do it. I really want someone to create a well executed feminist literary retelling of 1984, and use this work to learn how to not go wrong.
Something I did quiet enjoy is how Newman did not shy away from pointing out how much of a weenie, naive and bad guy Winston is. Because he is, in 1984 and in this version. He's a horrible man and hes a wet wipe, and im glad we leaned into the satire of him and many of the other men in it, which works not only for the world where men and women are prone to hate each other, but also because its true.
The last part was really where I decided this book was two stars, just utter fanfic esque ending and it really turned me off it. I thought overall that I enjoyed it more, but then I realised, what I enjoyed was rhe already existing world Orwell had created, because despite who he is and the misogynistic comments, the world he built is brilliant and Newman built off this. I think that im glad light was brought to Julia in this book, and its important to give spotlight to women who have been diminished by men, but I fear this was not how to do it. I really want someone to create a well executed feminist literary retelling of 1984, and use this work to learn how to not go wrong.
dark
medium-paced
DNF.
There are a few places where the author creates some more interesting storytelling but I don’t think it was enough to improve the original story. Julia ends up being just as unlikeable as Winston.
By the time the story gets to where she traps Winston, any sympathy I might have had for Julia is lost.
I just didn’t like anything about this story. And it didn’t improve the already difficult to read 1984.
There are a few places where the author creates some more interesting storytelling but I don’t think it was enough to improve the original story. Julia ends up being just as unlikeable as Winston.
By the time the story gets to where she traps Winston, any sympathy I might have had for Julia is lost.
I just didn’t like anything about this story. And it didn’t improve the already difficult to read 1984.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Writing Julia's character was a huge undertaking and one that Sandra Newman has knocked out of the park. She built on the plot with respect for the original story in a way that breathes life in Julia and had me completely gripped.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow.
This does a fantastic job of echoing Orwell’s voice and integrating the original text, while building something complex and new.
A fascinating exploration, primarily of the difference of being raised within the system versus indoctrinated in adulthood. But also age, career, gender, sexuality, attitude and moments of class.
The different methods of “breaking” and how post-room 101 presented was fascinating.
The ending paid off a lot of breadcrumbs being provided, with an extra knife twist or three about futility, ending with a message I could easily see Orwell penning.
This does a fantastic job of echoing Orwell’s voice and integrating the original text, while building something complex and new.
A fascinating exploration, primarily of the difference of being raised within the system versus indoctrinated in adulthood. But also age, career, gender, sexuality, attitude and moments of class.
The different methods of “breaking” and how post-room 101 presented was fascinating.
The ending paid off a lot of breadcrumbs being provided, with an extra knife twist or three about futility, ending with a message I could easily see Orwell penning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Dementia, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not sure I would have finished this outside of book club. The perspective of Julia in the classic novel is interesting and the themes are certainly prescient now. It is more sex positive than I expected, and refreshing to hear her real thoughts about Winston. But the suffocating world of 1984 and the bleak, graphic view of humanity's worst political impulses felt like plunging myself into an ice bath repeatedly without ever getting warm in between. I know it's the point of the novel, and well done at that...but nowadays I often just want a blanket and hot cocoa.
In contrast to the real world political landscape when I last read 1984, this time it feels much less like a warning for a hypothetical future and much more like seeing around the corner.
In contrast to the real world political landscape when I last read 1984, this time it feels much less like a warning for a hypothetical future and much more like seeing around the corner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence
Moderate: Death, Police brutality, Gaslighting, War
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization