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devonforest's review against another edition
4.0
I find it interesting to read books written in the past about a future year that has already passed. There were parts that definitely seemed familiar to life today, which was amazing and scary at the same time that Orwell could come close to what happens in the real future over 50 years ago. I did wonder while reading if we got the term Big Brother from the book or if it was just another scary coincidence; I don't know which way would be better.
The only part I had a little trouble with was with Goldstein's book within the book. It was very much like a history textbook to me and I struggled to get through that section. Other than that small section it was a fairly easy read, which I wasn't quite expecting with it being a very political themed book.
It definitely made me think about society and where it's headed.
The only part I had a little trouble with was with Goldstein's book within the book. It was very much like a history textbook to me and I struggled to get through that section. Other than that small section it was a fairly easy read, which I wasn't quite expecting with it being a very political themed book.
It definitely made me think about society and where it's headed.
lostkafka's review against another edition
3.0
Started as a dystopian future and in the middle you start finding parallels with current political situations around you!!
That was quite distrubing
That was quite distrubing
greggbaconroll's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pimuhu's review against another edition
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
aryan7477's review against another edition
4.0
My First Novel. I read some books when I was younger but I was never into them. I always thought I didn't have the attention span for them. Cinema was considered a superior medium of storytelling by me, so I never gave books a chance.
I was introduced to this book by an acquaintance, and the premise fascinated me. I love stories about individuality and rebellion, so I gave it a chance. I read the preview on Google and liked it and decided to buy the book. I was surprised by how accessible it was.
This book follows the journey of Winston Smith and is told from his point of view. I was blown away by the world Orwell created. How far he had been ahead of time to imagine this in 1949. The first part of the book is my favorite, where Orwell introduces us to the world of 1984. The concepts of Doublethink, Thoughtcrime, and Newspeak were amazing.
I was never much into Love Stories, so the romance between Winston and Julia never engrossed me much but I understood they maintained their relationship as an act of protest. In the middle, we get into Goldstein's book. While I liked the book and what it had to say about the world of 1984, it felt kind of off-route, and part of my mind wanted to go back to the characters.
I knew what the final part would mostly be about as I kind of spoiled myself by watching clips of the movie. But still, It was fantastic and terrifying. The ending was perfect and depressing.
1984 becomes more relevant each day due to the use of technologies like social media, and A.I. It serves as a warning about unrestricted surveillance and how it could lead to a loss of individuality which basically means the loss of humanity.
What a Great Start for my reading journey.
I was introduced to this book by an acquaintance, and the premise fascinated me. I love stories about individuality and rebellion, so I gave it a chance. I read the preview on Google and liked it and decided to buy the book. I was surprised by how accessible it was.
This book follows the journey of Winston Smith and is told from his point of view. I was blown away by the world Orwell created. How far he had been ahead of time to imagine this in 1949. The first part of the book is my favorite, where Orwell introduces us to the world of 1984. The concepts of Doublethink, Thoughtcrime, and Newspeak were amazing.
I was never much into Love Stories, so the romance between Winston and Julia never engrossed me much but I understood they maintained their relationship as an act of protest. In the middle, we get into Goldstein's book. While I liked the book and what it had to say about the world of 1984, it felt kind of off-route, and part of my mind wanted to go back to the characters.
I knew what the final part would mostly be about as I kind of spoiled myself by watching clips of the movie. But still, It was fantastic and terrifying. The ending was perfect and depressing.
1984 becomes more relevant each day due to the use of technologies like social media, and A.I. It serves as a warning about unrestricted surveillance and how it could lead to a loss of individuality which basically means the loss of humanity.
What a Great Start for my reading journey.
laraamtk's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bamou's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
solid
ameliecorriveau's review against another edition
2.0
BR with Caro
First of all, it's important to know that high school ruined my desire to read classics. Especially, that our reading curriculum was all white man classics. So, to say the least, I'm not fond of them, but I know how to analyze the shit out of them tho! (BIG HOURRAY for that useless skill). Having read Animal farm in high school and having enjoyed it (ok, maybe enjoy is the wrong term, maybe tolerate would be a better choice), I've been wanting to read 1984 for a few years since it was so revolutionary for its time. I finally did it, and I was mostly disappointed.
Let me explain... Orwell's work is brilliant, especially considering this was written in 1949. I can acknowledge that. He was a visionary and an amazing political and cultural commentator. I also understand that this book was published without being edited, which explains certain repetitions or longueurs. So this review doesn't speak of his talent and extraordianry depictions of totalitarism, but of my feelings towards the book and the story itself.
While I really enjoyed the political messages it conveyed and the brilliance of his ideas, there were certain aspects that made it impossible for me to like this book. Maybe my knowledge of politics was too advanced to really be flabberghasted by most of his ideas, although I did appreciate that some passages made me think. But for the life of me, I just couldn't connect (or care) to the characters and the story.
However, what really ruined my reading was the blatant misogyny in this book. It was horrible and disgusting, I just couldn't ignore it, and yes, yes some of you are going to say "but it was written in 1949 what did you expect" (with a dumb voice may I add). I don't care, I've never seen such crude misogyny. I would gladly break Winston's, the protagonist, teeth on a sidewalk. He dreams of raping and killing women. He hates them and likes to imagine himself doing horrible things to them (which are described). Not orthodox people. No, just women. Women are the worst and he can't f*ck them so he's mad. He imagines doing that to Julia, his "love" interest (big spoiler: it's not love at all) just before she admits her feelings to him. Oh then, THEN, she's all right because she lets him have sex with her.
Oh and let's talk about Julia, the ONLY woman in the book who has more than a line, a woman who falls in love with a man she's never talked to, who has no personality and is often described by Winston as stupid, who only likes to have sex and hates women. What an amazing depiction of women (BIG SARCASM HERE). She adds absolutely nothing to the story and was solely created to fulfill Winston's sexual fantasies and his need to be A REAL MAN (read with a very grave masculine voice like those in RAM publicities) and protect the weak, thoughtless Julia.
Overall, I had to drag through this book. It wasn't a great novel, since the political messages were often too heavy for the fluidity of the story and the characters were just despicable, but would've been a good essay.
First of all, it's important to know that high school ruined my desire to read classics. Especially, that our reading curriculum was all white man classics. So, to say the least, I'm not fond of them, but I know how to analyze the shit out of them tho! (BIG HOURRAY for that useless skill). Having read Animal farm in high school and having enjoyed it (ok, maybe enjoy is the wrong term, maybe tolerate would be a better choice), I've been wanting to read 1984 for a few years since it was so revolutionary for its time. I finally did it, and I was mostly disappointed.
Let me explain... Orwell's work is brilliant, especially considering this was written in 1949. I can acknowledge that. He was a visionary and an amazing political and cultural commentator. I also understand that this book was published without being edited, which explains certain repetitions or longueurs. So this review doesn't speak of his talent and extraordianry depictions of totalitarism, but of my feelings towards the book and the story itself.
While I really enjoyed the political messages it conveyed and the brilliance of his ideas, there were certain aspects that made it impossible for me to like this book. Maybe my knowledge of politics was too advanced to really be flabberghasted by most of his ideas, although I did appreciate that some passages made me think. But for the life of me, I just couldn't connect (or care) to the characters and the story.
However, what really ruined my reading was the blatant misogyny in this book. It was horrible and disgusting, I just couldn't ignore it, and yes, yes some of you are going to say "but it was written in 1949 what did you expect" (with a dumb voice may I add). I don't care, I've never seen such crude misogyny. I would gladly break Winston's, the protagonist, teeth on a sidewalk. He dreams of raping and killing women. He hates them and likes to imagine himself doing horrible things to them (which are described). Not orthodox people. No, just women. Women are the worst and he can't f*ck them so he's mad. He imagines doing that to Julia, his "love" interest (big spoiler: it's not love at all) just before she admits her feelings to him. Oh then, THEN, she's all right because she lets him have sex with her.
Oh and let's talk about Julia, the ONLY woman in the book who has more than a line, a woman who falls in love with a man she's never talked to, who has no personality and is often described by Winston as stupid, who only likes to have sex and hates women. What an amazing depiction of women (BIG SARCASM HERE). She adds absolutely nothing to the story and was solely created to fulfill Winston's sexual fantasies and his need to be A REAL MAN (read with a very grave masculine voice like those in RAM publicities) and protect the weak, thoughtless Julia.
Overall, I had to drag through this book. It wasn't a great novel, since the political messages were often too heavy for the fluidity of the story and the characters were just despicable, but would've been a good essay.
ellamareading06's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for my English class as we focused on historical context and how the human experience is portrayed through literature, specifically social commentary as we read Huxley's 'Brave New World' earlier this year. I really enjoyed this. It was incredibly insightful and alarming. I like Orwell's blunt, to the point writing style and the way he brings flowery beauty into his writing in sentimental and emotional situations. I think I would reread it after more research and context on politics and Orwell's life experiences but overall this was a really great book, simple to read but so many peculiar layers. 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
longaneyes_'s review against another edition
3.25
I struggle to give this book a review and rating because this Audible version that I listened to is NOT 1984. I did not realize that when I started listening. Obviously it's the same story and everything, but it's just a dramatization. Almost as if you're listening to a movie. I thought it was going to be 1984 verbatim with dramatic dialogue. I think that in the future, I need to read the actual book before listening to a dramatized version.
With all of that in mind, I also didn't really love the story that much. That may be an injustice to the original work, but it just wasn't really as good as I was anticipating. And I did have the same opinion about Animal Farm when I read that a little while ago.
But again, I hesitate to draw such conclusions due to the nature of the version of this book that I read. So take that as you will. I did really enjoy the dramatized audiobook experience though. So I think I will be listening to another one at some point, but I will be sure to do so only with a book which I have already read.
With all of that in mind, I also didn't really love the story that much. That may be an injustice to the original work, but it just wasn't really as good as I was anticipating. And I did have the same opinion about Animal Farm when I read that a little while ago.
But again, I hesitate to draw such conclusions due to the nature of the version of this book that I read. So take that as you will. I did really enjoy the dramatized audiobook experience though. So I think I will be listening to another one at some point, but I will be sure to do so only with a book which I have already read.