Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - 1984

1984 deals with a ton of heavy topics (obviously), but the ideas it presents are still very relevant today; it provokes a lot of thought on the roles that censorship, oppression, and language take in our modern lives as well as the roles they played in history. I do feel that this novel gains more worth when read and studied in conjunction with other pieces regarding similar topics, like Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" or Huxley's Brave New World, rather than as a standalone read since they allow for other perspectives/arguments on the subjects that 1984 presents.

As a book, though, it's not... super great. The prose is okay if pretty dry and none of the characters are particularly likeable in personality (although they're very interesting people. To me.) If you come here looking for a good story, I wouldn't say that this is it, but it's a fantastic work to analyze and reflect upon.

Content Warnings

therealratking's review against another edition

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dark sad tense 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

2.0

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skipper1513's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense medium-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

4.0

A fairly quick read for a classic
Unforgettable moments (both good and bad..)
Lengthy political details scattered around

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pr1ncessj's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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susie_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

The additional essays at the back of the book are excellent. They are about the use of language-in the book and in real life; the dropping of the atom bomb; and several short items written by Orwell’s contemporaries to him or about him. The extensive notes section is also helpful.

Content Warnings

calamitywindpetal's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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elia24's review against another edition

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Graphic description of rape and sexual abuse. Also objectification of women

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daybreakreads's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Painfully slow, dull writing. I normally enjoy dystopian novels but this one was just trying too har. Everything was for shock value, which ended up making nothing surprising. I find it ironic that the story involves sending a warning against scaring people into believing your political ideologies, but the author is a socialist and is advocating for socialism. The government claims to be socialist, but at one point it’s revealed it’s not actually socialist, and the only way forward is to become socialist. I don’t care what your political leanings are, there’s blatant hypocrisy by the author in trying to scare people into becoming socialist whilst advocating against scaring people into agreeing with your political opinions.

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