Reviews with content warning for Confinement - 1984 (Unabridged)

1984 is George Orwell's dystopian look at the future. Dystopias are drawn from the present, taking one or two things that are and exaggerate them until they become what could be. Some are more accurate than others, and the more accurate a dystopia, the scarier it tends to be, The surveillance state coming out of the Second World War and the Red Scare of the Cold War, all lead into the Telescreens, the retconning of history, Thought Police and Big Brother.

1984 is a terrifying look at what could be. It was also not intended to be an instruction manual, but a look at what happens when things are taken far, far, far too far.

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jenna_justi2004's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark informative sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

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zos's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I know this is a "classic" but it might be one of the books that solidified my love for the dystopian genre. I love the world that was built, I love the characters and the decision that they make. This is one of my re-reads every year or so. I keep a physical copy of this book in my car in case I go anywhere and need something to read (once my phone and kindle die).

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amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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valeria_balzan's review against another edition

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dark reflective 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

4.75

I was pretty invested in this book at the beginning. Usually world building is tough for me to understand but with this one was different, it was told in such a way that was understandable but not flat or boring.

Reading about this dystopian past (future?) makes me understand and appreciate this classic for what it is: a journey of dehumanization. Exploring themes such as totalitarianism, manipulation (both physical and historical), control and loyalty.
The world building alone makes for such a rich setting that gives place to the critique of modern society that it is.

The third act of the book threw me on a reading slump but it was (almost) worth it for that ending scene.

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krys_kilz's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective 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

4.5

I am still mulling over this book. There is so much. I will definitely need to read it again, perhaps even multiple times, to better understand everything Orwell is laying out here.

Update: Upon some reflection, this book has really stuck with me since reading it. The analysis of language and the written word, the manipulation of memory and the past, and the movement of power and the surveillance state... they were all such incredible frameworks for understanding the worlds we live within. It was incredible to me that analysis from the 1940's was still so sharp and applicable to the present. This was a book that really encouraged the reader to ask questions and reflect.

With all that said, the book was heavily misogynistic. Winston's character said a lot of horrible things and Julia's character was basically treated like a manic pixie dream girl. I don't think these flaws should be excused and instead should be met with rigorous critique.

The ending was also very bleak, which some people may have a problem with. I personally didn't mind it so much because I felt like it captured the feeling Orwell was writing from - that deep hopelessness and despair, the anti-utopia as discussed in Erich Fromm's afterward.

Overall, this was a book where you take what you need and compost the rest. And even with it's many faults, I think there was still a lot to hold onto.

"We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship."

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southcarolina's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense 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

4.75

We feel that we are paper, choking on you nightly.

You would be hard-pressed to find a book more immediately engaging than 1984. The worldbuilding is paced perfectly, firstly offering us glimpses of Winston’s small rebellions such as keeping a diary. We get to see his daily life under Big Brother and the challenges he faces before the main plotline starts. This immediately hooked me in, as I felt the book unfolded naturally and the city was easy to picture in my mind. I was able to connect to his struggles, and the pace ramps up naturally rather than a sudden shock to the system.

We’re put into Winston’s perspective, and I found not having been spoiled was thrilling. Being unsure on who to trust, was novel, and I wasn’t expecting the eventual betrayal to come from a certain character. During one part of the book, specifically the brotherhood scene, I did feel it was too good to be true. I’m glad the writing didn’t treat the audience like a fool and my suspicions were very clearly founded.

The last portion of the book is incredibly disturbing, but after the attention given to the cruelty of the party, it feels deserved and not out of left field. The ending is especially impactful, as you can feel Winston’s thoughts have been completely tangled. The narration is inconsistent intentionally, and I think it made a great impact.

Orwell has a very direct writing style, typically favouring shorter sentences, with the occasional long line for impact. He doesn’t need to bloat the text with unnecessary language, and it was a joy to read and put myself in Winston’s shoes.

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