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A review by camajo_jomaca
1984 by George Orwell
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
This book left me feeling sick to my stomach, which is honestly a compliment because too often dystopian novels end with a too-easily-earned happy ending. I admire the audacity of 1984.
Many will say that the start of this book is slow and wordy, but I enjoyed it for the fact that it gently opened up the world and our main character's head. I feel as though I deeply understood this universe when a lot of dystopian novels end up too vague and without enough pieces to complete the puzzle on your own. Additionally, my genuine understanding of the world added to the weight of every scene because I could expect the same sort of consequence the characters did. I was rarely unfeeling when I read this and frequently ill at ease.
To that extent, there is so much intention in this story, which I yearn for in the books I read. There was an intended message, and it is delivered one hundred percent.
I would say the major weakness of this book is its characters. Really the characters themselves are not so important as the world in which they live. They could really be anyone in this world, and it wouldn't make a difference, which I guess gives value in its own way. This exact story has unraveled for so many people that live in this world, and you can see that throughout the book. Still, one of my favorite things about novels are well-written and loveable characters and I would have to say none of the ones in this story fit the bill. I didn't sympathize with the characters because it was them who were suffering but simply because of what they were suffering. But maybe there is something to say about the fact that the protagonist isn't really a hero but rather another cautionary tale amongst hundreds.
The only thing I would really complain about is the so-called "book." There are around 30-40 pages dedicated to just reading "the book" which amounts to a bunch of restating the context of the world and the assumptions of the main character. All in all, it doesn't really add to the narrative and was a drag to get through. If it had to be included, I would have preferred it had been paraphrased. It really was a mountain of an obstacle to get over in an otherwise enjoyable story.
Overall, although there were some weak points in this book, I'd say the majority of it shines. I can definitely see myself rereading this story and being just as unsettled as the first time.
Many will say that the start of this book is slow and wordy, but I enjoyed it for the fact that it gently opened up the world and our main character's head. I feel as though I deeply understood this universe when a lot of dystopian novels end up too vague and without enough pieces to complete the puzzle on your own. Additionally, my genuine understanding of the world added to the weight of every scene because I could expect the same sort of consequence the characters did. I was rarely unfeeling when I read this and frequently ill at ease.
To that extent, there is so much intention in this story, which I yearn for in the books I read. There was an intended message, and it is delivered one hundred percent.
I would say the major weakness of this book is its characters. Really the characters themselves are not so important as the world in which they live. They could really be anyone in this world, and it wouldn't make a difference, which I guess gives value in its own way. This exact story has unraveled for so many people that live in this world, and you can see that throughout the book. Still, one of my favorite things about novels are well-written and loveable characters and I would have to say none of the ones in this story fit the bill. I didn't sympathize with the characters because it was them who were suffering but simply because of what they were suffering. But maybe there is something to say about the fact that the protagonist isn't really a hero but rather another cautionary tale amongst hundreds.
The only thing I would really complain about is the so-called "book." There are around 30-40 pages dedicated to just reading "the book" which amounts to a bunch of restating the context of the world and the assumptions of the main character. All in all, it doesn't really add to the narrative and was a drag to get through. If it had to be included, I would have preferred it had been paraphrased. It really was a mountain of an obstacle to get over in an otherwise enjoyable story.
Overall, although there were some weak points in this book, I'd say the majority of it shines. I can definitely see myself rereading this story and being just as unsettled as the first time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape