A review by charlottespiers
Julia by Sandra Newman

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Still thinking about the rating because some of this book was wonderful: the exploration of what Oceania would be like for women (shared hostels, sexcrime and pregnancy) was brilliant. I wanted more of those bits. 

The problem for me came when the book retold 1984, but couldn't do so without keeping the power of the original message.

Winston and Julia betraying each other doesn't mean the same thing if they didn't love each other.

I also agree with the other reviews that the ending could have been 50 pages shorter.

We didn't need to see Crystal Palace and meet BB. Imo it would have been better for Julia to be found in the forest by men, and it's up to the reader to decide what side they were on - and if that even makes a difference to the outcome in their head.