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A review by gothhotel
1984 by Xavier Coste, George Orwell
3.0
This book is one of the "classics" of the white-male Western canon that I'd consider truly misunderstood. While its social importance is undeniable, there's little it says that hasn't been said better since. Its black and white takeaways are portrayed in a heavy handed way and like the society it portrays, most of its insight boils down to catchphrases that you can apply to any political agenda you see fit. It's a weird mix of blatant, artless messaging and a Promethean moral that even right wingers can take to say "hurr durr government bad" - which I know Orwell wouldn't have wanted.
Even so, there's been a few things that stick with me. I think of a bit at the ending, where it's implied that only hope for revolution lies with the common people - the uneducated, belligerent poor, who are too wrapped up i. the struggles of their daily lives to give half a shit about Big Brother. Even well-meaning parts of the ruling class can ve tortured and threatened into submission, but the common people, well, there's just too many of them for the Ministry of Truth, right? But they are suffering, and they are kept in ignorance, so the chances of a revolution are very slim.
Even so, there's been a few things that stick with me. I think of a bit at the ending, where it's implied that only hope for revolution lies with the common people - the uneducated, belligerent poor, who are too wrapped up i. the struggles of their daily lives to give half a shit about Big Brother. Even well-meaning parts of the ruling class can ve tortured and threatened into submission, but the common people, well, there's just too many of them for the Ministry of Truth, right? But they are suffering, and they are kept in ignorance, so the chances of a revolution are very slim.