Scan barcode
iwishihadmoretimetoread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is an amazing work of art and I think it is important for everyone to read it, however it was quite difficult to get through and very difficult emotionally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Vomit, War, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Minor: Antisemitism
aliciapiron's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Forced institutionalization
helenaruby's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Police brutality, Torture, Drug abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, War, and Racism
books_because_why_not's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The characters in this book were pretty good. I think it was extremely clear each motivation the characters had and understandable reasoning between the actions in the book. My only problem was with the mc, Winston. He was quite misogynistic in the beginning (luckily this part of his character was not shown as much as the book progressed).
I think if there was a setting that I would never want to be stuck in, it would be this book. The world is described really well. I find it so interesting how the author presents that authoritative rule can only last if everyone is suffering to some degree.
I think the writing in this book was pretty good, but I did find myself bored in some parts. I think this was my fault because I was on a schedule to read this book and I just really wanted to be done with the book as soon as possible. The author describes in great detail the societal structure. While this is good for understanding the world, it is slightly boring especially when it is explained all at once with no jumps back to the story to give the reader a break. Also, the latter half of the book was hard to get through because there were so many oxymorons.
I will say that the general plot of this story is not one I’m used to, but I still liked it. The story follows the character arc of Winston. It explores both sides of the coin of authoritative rule and its effects on people. I will say the ending is certainly not what I had expected.
This book had generally standard pacing with the exception of a long segment dedicated to world-building. I was not on-edge while I was reading, but that does not mean it was a bad book.
In general, I found this book to tell an interesting story and had some fascinating commentary on society and government. I think I ruined my enjoyment by trying to read this book too quickly, but I’m not going to take points for something that was my own doing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Torture, Classism, and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
friesenag's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
2.5
1984 is yet another classic with such misogynistic undertones it ruins the story, which honestly I didn't even find good in the first place. These themes aren't groundbreaking as a modern reader but I could see how big of a thing this could be back in the 50s.
Winston is the kind of person who thinks he's above it all and smarter than everyone, but he is so stupid it hurts. <spolier> There is no way that he discerned that O'Brien was a member of the brotherhood from a look and just went with it, and I know in the book they go over that, but I don't think Winston really fully understands his stupidity.
I think that this book could have been amazing and cool, but there was a lack of world building and creation in my opinion. I think Orwell could have done more to share about the physical infrastructure of the community if that makes sense. It felt that there were some very lackluster and half baked story lines that left me asking more questions, and not in a good way.
My major issues were with the character of Julia who was one of two female characters who outwardly states how much she hates women and is SUCH a pick me. When Orwell had that scene about how the women were fighting over pots and pans, Winston discerns that women are just followers and basically have no real feelings about their society like he does, which irritates me so much. How can you tell someones life from how they are fighting over a scarce item?? These women have people to feed, and that doesn't mean that they don't find something wrong with the government?? I felt that women in this book were painted as stupid followers who don't have thoughts and experiences of their own. Even with Julia, who was against big brother but couldn't be bothered to understand the doctrine. This story frustrated me more than anything because of the lack of character development and that Winston's freedom thinking turns into exactly what big brother wanted. The themes of the danger of conformity were interesting, but I hated that it was shown in such a hateful and dislikable way.
I do think Orwell did a good job in the end to create stress and intrigue in the climax of the book, but fell flat as you kinda began to know exactly what was gonna happen.
The only reason this is getting 2.5 stars is because though I hate the characters and found the plot boring, this book did make me feel strong feelings, of irritation, frustration and helplessness as Winston continued to ruin everything in such a overbearing society. Writing is art and art is supposed to make you feel something, even if it is distain.
(Also what was even the point of Winston saying he wants to kill and rape women?? I think that's just Orwells personal feelings and he needed an outlet for saying it.)
Winston is the kind of person who thinks he's above it all and smarter than everyone, but he is so stupid it hurts. <spolier> There is no way that he discerned that O'Brien was a member of the brotherhood from a look and just went with it, and I know in the book they go over that, but I don't think Winston really fully understands his stupidity.
I think that this book could have been amazing and cool, but there was a lack of world building and creation in my opinion. I think Orwell could have done more to share about the physical infrastructure of the community if that makes sense. It felt that there were some very lackluster and half baked story lines that left me asking more questions, and not in a good way.
My major issues were with the character of Julia who was one of two female characters who outwardly states how much she hates women and is SUCH a pick me. When Orwell had that scene about how the women were fighting over pots and pans, Winston discerns that women are just followers and basically have no real feelings about their society like he does, which irritates me so much. How can you tell someones life from how they are fighting over a scarce item?? These women have people to feed, and that doesn't mean that they don't find something wrong with the government?? I felt that women in this book were painted as stupid followers who don't have thoughts and experiences of their own. Even with Julia, who was against big brother but couldn't be bothered to understand the doctrine. This story frustrated me more than anything because of the lack of character development and that Winston's freedom thinking turns into exactly what big brother wanted. The themes of the danger of conformity were interesting, but I hated that it was shown in such a hateful and dislikable way.
I do think Orwell did a good job in the end to create stress and intrigue in the climax of the book, but fell flat as you kinda began to know exactly what was gonna happen.
The only reason this is getting 2.5 stars is because though I hate the characters and found the plot boring, this book did make me feel strong feelings, of irritation, frustration and helplessness as Winston continued to ruin everything in such a overbearing society. Writing is art and art is supposed to make you feel something, even if it is distain.
(Also what was even the point of Winston saying he wants to kill and rape women?? I think that's just Orwells personal feelings and he needed an outlet for saying it.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, Rape, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, and Gore
omarhabib's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Torture
Minor: War and Alcoholism
elijah__'s review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Racism, Child death, Classism, and Alcohol
carnivalchimera's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Classism, Torture, and Gaslighting
alexiasophii's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? No
4.25
This book is scary. There's not much I can say about it besides saying that it's scary and that I honestly think it should be mandated reading in schools... wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Blood, Classism, Torture, Slavery, Death, Forced institutionalization, Violence, War, and Vomit
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
My thoughts while reading:
-The ideas in this book are interesting but i really did not like the actual story or writing style.
-The ideas in this book are interesting but i really did not like the actual story or writing style.
-This screams written by a man. Also disgusting towards women.
In my opinion this is overhyped and I really dont like george orwell.
-Yes the book is sometimes interesting but mostly it is boring and outdated.
-This does not need to be as graphic as it is.
-This does not need to be as graphic as it is.
-This book is about how the whole world turned into a giant cult, features a spineless mc and doesnt make any sense in the interactions between people in it. The relationship with Julia didnt make sense at all and the relationship with O’brian didnt either.
-A lot of big words and ideas but non are applicable. This is just opression and gaslighting. I just do not care!
-This is probably the worst book I’ve ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Deportation, Gun violence, Stalking, Torture, War, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Mass/school shootings, Body horror, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Vomit