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stxrceez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
willjacks's review against another edition
3.0
This is certainly a classic, with it being so well-written and conveying timeless themes.
I saved reading this for the right time. Everyone is aware of this book’s existence, and I certainly knew having read Huxley’s BNW and Zamyatin’s We before getting to it. I feel as though I’ve read and consumed a lot of media inspired by this book. Pretty much every dystopian hellscape takes notes from this book, it would be difficult not to.
However.
I finally got round to reading it, and I found it just soooo simple. The first third was brilliant, exactly what I was expecting. But by the 9th chapter of part 2, the book just felt like a long-winded political essay. The ‘surprising’ element involving a character thought of as a friend (I won’t spoil it), just felt so blindingly obvious???
I understand exactly what Orwell was trying to say, and a novel can spread his worry about the political landscapes of the 40s more than any essay could, but I just wasn’t invested in any characters major or minor. I go for books with impeccable narratives and characters. This lacked neither of those things.
I enjoyed the political message, the world the characters are situated in and the permeating sense of unease and paranoia. I just think that the narrative and characters are more approachable and watertight in Orwell’s Animal Farm, a hugely shorter and more concise ‘children’s tale.’
It’s a book that warns its readers, I understand the weight of its importance etc. But I’ll be more likely to re-read BNW or Animal Farm. They aren’t as dry and they don’t over-explain.
I saved reading this for the right time. Everyone is aware of this book’s existence, and I certainly knew having read Huxley’s BNW and Zamyatin’s We before getting to it. I feel as though I’ve read and consumed a lot of media inspired by this book. Pretty much every dystopian hellscape takes notes from this book, it would be difficult not to.
However.
I finally got round to reading it, and I found it just soooo simple. The first third was brilliant, exactly what I was expecting. But by the 9th chapter of part 2, the book just felt like a long-winded political essay. The ‘surprising’ element involving a character thought of as a friend (I won’t spoil it), just felt so blindingly obvious???
I understand exactly what Orwell was trying to say, and a novel can spread his worry about the political landscapes of the 40s more than any essay could, but I just wasn’t invested in any characters major or minor. I go for books with impeccable narratives and characters. This lacked neither of those things.
I enjoyed the political message, the world the characters are situated in and the permeating sense of unease and paranoia. I just think that the narrative and characters are more approachable and watertight in Orwell’s Animal Farm, a hugely shorter and more concise ‘children’s tale.’
It’s a book that warns its readers, I understand the weight of its importance etc. But I’ll be more likely to re-read BNW or Animal Farm. They aren’t as dry and they don’t over-explain.
fernstoddart's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
imanah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
laurabadara's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? No
4.0
A classic for a reason- yet still felt a little long winded at times. Though some applicable themes to today’s dark political landscape, unfortunately. Ultimately worth reading.
asen123's review against another edition
The main character really grossed me out. A scene made me kinda disgusted and I just couldn’t get myself to read more. From what I got the message that words and language are what shape things is important, but i don’t know. It doesn’t sit right with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual assault
notrae07's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.25
pansy_ass's review against another edition
4.0
Vividly violent in the most abstract sense. For those who put down the book long enough to grasp how horrifying this alternate world of 1984 is, the book can become quite terrifying. Highly recommend for certain.
hazelsst's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0