1984 (Signet Classics) by George Orwell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of 1984 (Signet Classics)
Book Review: A sign of things to come?
Summary: 5 Stars
The book at first appears to be a sick fantasy of a world gone mad, until you read a little deeper and realise that it is actually potentially our world some time in the future - only the names have been changed. The world that Orwell describes is constantly at war, although the people never really know who is the enemy. They are in a constant state of high alert, and therefore the people have given up all their rights to privacy - Big Brother watches them at all times through their television screens, searching for potential resistance within the population.
The main character, Winston, appears to be an anomoly in the system. He thinks that he is alone in his secret hatred of Big Brother until he meets and falls in love with Julia, and together they attempt to join the resistance in order to bring about the down fall of Big Brother.
Orwell creates tension and suspense from the first page and is relentless throughout.
Book Review: Deus ex machina ...."The Brotherhood"
Summary: 5 Stars
A Message from the Brotherhood to YOU1984 reveals why an elite would want to subjugate its own middle and lower classes, and how that goal might be attained so as to remain a permanent system, forever.
It may have been written as just a novel, but lots of the elements for permanent control are already in place. The purposes of war, of middle-class impoverishment, of third-world depopulation and slavery, and of media control are all laid out.
We watch, fascinated, as its written plan for permanent control via a New World Order takes place in the real world before our very eyes.
If, after finishing 1984, you find yourself nervous and paranoid, then: good. You have just taken a step closer to respecting the importance of human freedom and dignity, and the dangers in allowing governments to usurp your freedom.
1984 and I have done our best. All that remains is to fight to regain your ownlife
(read the book, you'll know what we mean).
Book Review: Deviates corrected for their own good
Summary: 5 Stars
In a society that has eliminated many imbalances, surplus goods, and even class struggle, there are bound to be deviates; Winston Smith is one of those. He starts out, due to his inability to doublethink, with thoughtcrime. This is in a society that believes a thought is as real as the deed. Eventually he graduates through a series of misdemeanors to illicit sex and even plans to overthrow the very government that took him in as an orphan.
If he gets caught, he will be sent to the "Ministry of Love" where they have a record of 100% cures for this sort of insanity. They will even forgive his past indiscretions.
Be sure to watch the three different movies made from this book:
1984 (1954) Peter Cushing is Winston Smith
1984 (1956) Edmond O'Brien is Winston Smith
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) John Hurt is Winston Smith