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jorgefernandez's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A pesar de los interesantísimas y proféticas consideraciones socioeconómicos y políticos que aporta en la novela, afectan muy negativamente al ritmo y consigue que esté fuera de la historia en gran parte de sus páginas.
lunaralien's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
maryartchy's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
eliseweber's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
salgalruns's review against another edition
4.0
I suppose I should start by saying that this book is the complete antithesis of who I am as a person. I am all about creativity, combined with happy bubbly things. Yeah, Orwell and I aren't really a match made in heaven as this book is anything but that.
Most folks I've talked to have read this book in high school or college. Not me, and I'm actually glad I never did. I can't honestly imagine a pimply hormonal teen getting as much out of this as an adult who lives a life of bosses, paychecks, taxes, insurance payments, and society in general. Unfortunately, when I break it down as such, perhaps Orwell is just hitting a little too close to home, especially these days. When you think of the number of ways that we're tracked now - via location services on cell phones, iPads, computers...when every government agency tracks you and then this information (correct or not) seems to find its way to a Google search? Yeah, maybe Orwell knew something we didn't?
As for the story itself, I understand that it's listed as a classic, but seriously...this is sort of horrifically scary, right????? I mean, we've got some torture going on, major mind control, and who the heck knows which people are on which side and who you can trust? I actually found myself liking Winston at the beginning because, let's face it, he's narrating, and he seems rational. However, toward the end? I was almost convinced he WAS delusional and psychotic. Thanks again, George, for making me wonder about reality. You'd think I would have bonded with Julia, but she was basically all about the sex. I just didn't see much other use for her other than to provide an opportunity for a change of scenery.
Mind you, with all the twistedness of the story, the most horrific part was the scene in Room 101. Winston and I would have had the EXACT SAME experience here, and I was almost screaming in my car as I listened to the audiobook of this. Wanted to die.
Orwell summed up his psychotic thriller/classic/horror novel with one of the best quotes around. He's a genius. A twisted, demented, scary one, but genius.
Most folks I've talked to have read this book in high school or college. Not me, and I'm actually glad I never did. I can't honestly imagine a pimply hormonal teen getting as much out of this as an adult who lives a life of bosses, paychecks, taxes, insurance payments, and society in general. Unfortunately, when I break it down as such, perhaps Orwell is just hitting a little too close to home, especially these days. When you think of the number of ways that we're tracked now - via location services on cell phones, iPads, computers...when every government agency tracks you and then this information (correct or not) seems to find its way to a Google search? Yeah, maybe Orwell knew something we didn't?
As for the story itself, I understand that it's listed as a classic, but seriously...this is sort of horrifically scary, right????? I mean, we've got some torture going on, major mind control, and who the heck knows which people are on which side and who you can trust? I actually found myself liking Winston at the beginning because, let's face it, he's narrating, and he seems rational. However, toward the end? I was almost convinced he WAS delusional and psychotic. Thanks again, George, for making me wonder about reality. You'd think I would have bonded with Julia, but she was basically all about the sex. I just didn't see much other use for her other than to provide an opportunity for a change of scenery.
Mind you, with all the twistedness of the story, the most horrific part was the scene in Room 101. Winston and I would have had the EXACT SAME experience here, and I was almost screaming in my car as I listened to the audiobook of this. Wanted to die.
Orwell summed up his psychotic thriller/classic/horror novel with one of the best quotes around. He's a genius. A twisted, demented, scary one, but genius.
wesleylebakken's review against another edition
1.0
sending hate from 2024
i understand that classics should be venerated and all that crap, but this book just big ole dookie to me. the pacing was so slow and it felt like there were only like four events and the rest of the book was just filler anti-propaganda poppycock. i can appreciate what the message of the book is, but i don’t feel like it’s that akin to the world today apart from the aspect of constant surveillance, and even that feels quite conspiracy-y.
and plus, every time i managed to get into the story, there was an unending soliloquy or explanation of the political landscape that was boring beyond belief and i started hating myself again.
a little sad that i didn’t enjoy the book like i expected to, but maybe classics aren’t for me
i understand that classics should be venerated and all that crap, but this book just big ole dookie to me. the pacing was so slow and it felt like there were only like four events and the rest of the book was just filler anti-propaganda poppycock. i can appreciate what the message of the book is, but i don’t feel like it’s that akin to the world today apart from the aspect of constant surveillance, and even that feels quite conspiracy-y.
and plus, every time i managed to get into the story, there was an unending soliloquy or explanation of the political landscape that was boring beyond belief and i started hating myself again.
a little sad that i didn’t enjoy the book like i expected to, but maybe classics aren’t for me
itsaimee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Extremely well written, really enjoyed reading it, both with the style of speech as well as the predictably unpredictable plotline.
mcbbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
I never had to read this book in high school because I wasn’t a Brit Lit or AP Lang student. So, with my love for books being reignited recently, I made it a New Year’s Resolution to read this. I finally finished it tonight. It is, to say the least, crazy how well this book has aged. I have read very few books with paragraphs of narration this dense that are able to capture such a strong sense of dread and hopelessness. These long, rich paragraphs also bring these complex characters to life who are trapped in this fascist regime, and the book continues to build to a stunning third act. If you haven’t read it yet, read it as soon as you can. You’ll see why it’s so important to read it.
dnandrews797's review against another edition
4.0
I think this book represents an excellent picture of state censure taken to the extreme when even a person’s thoughts can be monitored and the truth rewritten to suit the needs of the party. Obviously, it can be tied easily into modern politics since at the time it was written it was in response to modern politics, but I think the most poignant and important aspect of this book is the way it uses it’s story to point out some of the key elements of fascism. By having new generations read the story and study it in schools, we can hope that a big brother state can be prevented by the horror and hopelessness invoked in 1984’s society where war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength.