A review by dazed_daydreamer
1984: The Graphic Novel by George Orwell

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

War Is Peace

Freedom Is Slavery

Ignorance Is Strength 

A classic, historical novel by George Orwell is reimagined and paired with the  captivating, evocative illustrations by Fido Nesti, to bring a new perspective to an iconic story that is still relevant to this day. 

The graphic adaptation brings the grim totalitarian state of Oceania to life as we follow Winston Smith, a man living in what we think is the year 1984 in London, which is a grim city under a totalitarian regime known as Big Brother. 

You see, Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. In a world where the narrative of the past is controlled and any contradictions to the Party, history, facts are erased and replaced with what the Department of Records, where Winston works, deem correct for their narrative. However, in the corners of his mind, Winston is slowly remembering what the works was like before the revolution, before The Party and Big Brother and he even begins to secretly write on a journal his hidden thoughts, a dangerous task and possibly one that won’t go farther because if he’s caught by the Thought Police, it will nearly be another document erased alongside him. 

When Winston is drawn into a forbidden love affair, he finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called the Brotherhood, who are dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together

with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.

This was a very grim, haunting story about how controlling one’s thoughts and being able to erase all history lends to absolute power over everything and everyone. However, especially given the political climate currently, it’s more important than ever to read and reread these books that are often subjected to bool bans and continue discussing these topics and ideas the story brings to light. 

Some of my favorite quote are below:

“HOW COULD YOU MAKE APPEAL TO THE FUTURE WHEN NOT A TRACE OF TOU NOT EVEN AN ANONYMOUS WORD SCRIBBLED ON A PIECE OF PAPER, COULD PHYSICALLY SURVIVE?”

“EVERYTHING FADED INTO MIST. THE PAST WAS ERASED, THE ERASURE WAS FORGOTTEN, THE LIE BECAME TRUTH.”

“It is absolutely necessary to their structure that there should be no contact with foreigners. Except with war prisoners, the average citizen of Oceania never sets eyes on a citizen of either Eurasia or Eastasia, and he is forbidden the knowledge of foreign languages. If he were allowed contact with foreigners he would discover that they are creatures similar to himself and that most of what he has been told about them is lies. The sealed world in which he lives would be broken, and the fear, hatred and self-righteousness on which his morale depends might evaporate.”