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A review by manatad
1984 by George Orwell
dark
reflective
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
"The best books... are those that tell you what you know already."
It was a pleasure (in its own special, stomach-churning way) to read this book again for the first time after nearly a decade. It is an undisputed classic, having introduced terms such as "doublethink," "thoughtcrime," and "Big Brother" to the global vocabulary, along with other themes that continue to feel relevant and eerily predictive of the world we live in today. It is George Orwell's nightmarish vision of the perfect totalitarian society.
I'm afraid I'm not able to say anything about 1984 that hasn't already been said at least a thousand times already, so I'll try to keep this as short as I can.
"It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words."
What I consider to be the most interesting theme in the book is the concept of language being utilized as a form of mind control against the general populace. This idea is explored through the invention of Newspeak, a mutilated form of the English language so restricted in its structure and vocabulary that it would render an individual unable to even think disobedient or illegal thoughts. Some of what were for me the most intriguing passages in the book were the ones related to Newspeak. It lead me to think a lot not only of language and its influence on our manner of thought and expression, but also of the realization that I believe the English language has naturally evolved to be more simple over the course of time. Additionally, Orwell's warnings about technology, surveillance, privacy, control of information, and alteration of history have all indeed emerged in one way or another as problems in the early 21st century.
If I could reasonably do so, I would recommend that everybody read this book. It is as thought-provoking as it is haunting. Simply an unforgettable novel.
It has also spurred in me an interest to reread the other two classic dystopian novels: Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World, which I may make a goal of doing this year. I might even look into getting my hands on a copy of We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, a direct inspiration to Orwell which I have not read before.
It was a pleasure (in its own special, stomach-churning way) to read this book again for the first time after nearly a decade. It is an undisputed classic, having introduced terms such as "doublethink," "thoughtcrime," and "Big Brother" to the global vocabulary, along with other themes that continue to feel relevant and eerily predictive of the world we live in today. It is George Orwell's nightmarish vision of the perfect totalitarian society.
I'm afraid I'm not able to say anything about 1984 that hasn't already been said at least a thousand times already, so I'll try to keep this as short as I can.
"It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words."
What I consider to be the most interesting theme in the book is the concept of language being utilized as a form of mind control against the general populace. This idea is explored through the invention of Newspeak, a mutilated form of the English language so restricted in its structure and vocabulary that it would render an individual unable to even think disobedient or illegal thoughts. Some of what were for me the most intriguing passages in the book were the ones related to Newspeak. It lead me to think a lot not only of language and its influence on our manner of thought and expression, but also of the realization that I believe the English language has naturally evolved to be more simple over the course of time. Additionally, Orwell's warnings about technology, surveillance, privacy, control of information, and alteration of history have all indeed emerged in one way or another as problems in the early 21st century.
If I could reasonably do so, I would recommend that everybody read this book. It is as thought-provoking as it is haunting. Simply an unforgettable novel.
It has also spurred in me an interest to reread the other two classic dystopian novels: Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World, which I may make a goal of doing this year. I might even look into getting my hands on a copy of We by Yevgeny Zamyatin, a direct inspiration to Orwell which I have not read before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Torture
Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape