adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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dark sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It's intended purpose appears to be a criticism of a communist, totalitarian police state. Ironically, now, it seems just as responsive and relevant to Western capitalistic structures. In the story, "The Book" shows another way to view current events. 

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Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

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juan_adhd_reading's profile picture

juan_adhd_reading's review

3.5
dark reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This review is specifically for the Audible adaptation of the novel, starring Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, and Andrew Scott.

I'd like to start by saying that the performances in this audiobook were fantastic, which is of course to be expected for such a stacked cast.

That being said, I don't think this should be your first approach to the novel if you haven't yet read it. This is a highly summarized and abridged version, and without the world building, and the character's internal monologue there is a lot you could miss. 

I will say that I hated the character of Winston in the original novel, due to his highly misogynistic views. I understand that it makes sense internally in the novel, with Winston growing up in a highly authoritarian state, but I'm glad they cut a lot of it back in the novel.

This is, of course, a classic in the dystopian genre, having shown the highly detrimental effects of a totalitarian surveillance state on its people, the modification of language, the creation of propaganda, the indoctrination of children, and the erasure of history. All of these are kept in this adaptation, so I think if you read this before, you'll love it!

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challenging dark informative tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Absolutely magnificent and disturbing. 

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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

I read this because of how much this is compared to the current political climate. I didn't particularly like the book and really didn't like the characters. 

There are definitely similarities and its interesting to read how many things have become reality.

CW: Sexual Assault
I wasn't prepared for
Winston flat out telling Julia he wanted to rape and murder her

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dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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challenging dark emotional 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: Yes

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Full review is on my blog (https://www.bookycnidaria.com/nineteen-eighty-four).

Exactly as depressing as advertised.

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challenging dark reflective 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

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." 

I've read this before but decided to revisit this one again in light of everything going on. I probably would have finished this sooner; however, I had to take breaks due to the current news cycle being A LOT. Orwell's book is one of those key pieces of literature that focuses on dystopias and social criticism; it was a warning published back in 1949 that I guess we didn't quite listen to... The concepts of stamping out individuality, editing the past, changing and limiting language, repressing sexuality and the family unit, constant surveillance, surrendering one's humanity under the guise of safety, etc. in order to establish control. The list, unfortunately, goes on, and it's a very unsettling book to read. I've read it during my preteen years, teen years, and now my adult years, and, while I've gotten new things out of it each time, the constant feeling of unease and worry remains. 


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