1984 by George Orwell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of 1984
Book Review: 1984: As Fresh as If It Were Yesterday
Summary: 5 Stars
Someone's watching. The government has you entrenched in a conspiracy so deep, where a national tragedy gave leadership the opportunity to seize all of your rights in the name of your personal protection. No, this isn't the Patriot Act- it's "1984," a dystopian Science Fiction novel by George Orwell, the author of "Animal Farm." Written in 1949, "1984" hardly seems as dated as its title might imply. Really, nothing could be farther from the truth. The world set up by Orwell, over seen by Big Brother and his invisible band of Thought Police, has people political prisoners within their own country. Winston, a worker in the Record Department of one of the three ministries (The Ministry of Truth, or Minitrue), finds his mind resisting the world he's given, not completely accepting the "news" he's given, as well as doubting his contentment. He enters into a relationship, finds himself contacted by an underground resistance, and comes to discover some of the more dangerous traits of the Party. Orwell's "1984" is an extremely well written political masterpiece, which traces societal trends in an innovative and pessimistic sort of way.
From the beginning, Orwell introduces new touches of technology made from innovations in his time. Things such as telescreens (basically televisions with the capability to communicate with and spy on members of the outer party) and speakwrites (a microphone that transcribes dictations) give a modern sense to the novel, while keeping it somewhat futuristic, even in modern times. No extravagant inventions like space ships or teleporters are touched on, so there isn't a feeling of inaccuracy or over-optimism that seems to be common in more ambitious science fiction media. Honestly, I found myself wishing that something such as a speakwrite existed for homework assignments, or even writing this very review; however, I didn't get that overwhelming sense of "Yeah right, nothing like THAT existed in 1984" from the position of being here in 2007.
Orwell brings out the political message of the novel most obviously by using the supposed revolutionary Goldstein's book. The chapters from Goldstein's book are inserted into 1984 as Winston reads them. Although these excerpts read something like stereo instructions or college dissertations, it really affirms the politics behind Orwell's writing. The three political bodies, or countries, in this novel consist of Oceania, Eurasia and East Asia. Oceania includes the United Kingdom, Eurasia includes the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and East Asia includes China and Japan. The fact that Orwell had the foresight to predict a lot of specific traits of world politics (such as the takeover of one party regimes in China) and the escalation of current world politics (such as the arms race and the containment policy against the Soviet Union) absolutely floored me. There were times when I was reading through sections of Goldstein's history where I simply had to put it down, because some of the events supposedly taking place in the fifties and sixties I had just learned about in my history class as taking place around then. That in and of itself is not only brilliant, but very powerful; just knowing that the book predicted some of the things that happened gives more credibility to the more radical things Orwell predicted. That's what's so strong about "1984;" there's this sense of "It could happen."
SPOILER WARNINGS!
Another strength of the novel was the relationship between Winston and Julia. Although I personally didn't like Julia - (she struck me as a very odd sort of a rebel who didn't even seem to know what she wanted) - her character was perfect for the novel. Her quirky unpredictability and her complete disregard for authority showed how even the most seemingly active Party members harbored deep reservations about the life they were living. Also, her somewhat shallow and lukewarm interest in politics was a good portrayal of the way people would begin to act after living under an oppressively totalitarian regime. It was admittedly strange to me how Winston was impressed by how many men Julia had managed to sleep with, but their relationship was still believable. Both of them had the fundamental desire to rebel against the system, and they channeled that towards sex. Fortunately, I couldn't personally relate to that, but it did represent a form of rebellion on Orwell's part against people who want to turn sex into a utility and take all of the pleasure out of it.
The ending, however, was the most potent part of the novel. When Julia and Winston are caught and tortured, and Orwell describes the nightmarish ordeal Winston is put through, the reader really comes to understand how Winston develops. Throughout the entire novel, Winston's progression from a nervous rebel, to a carefree rebel, to a penitent traitor was perfectly delineated by Orwell. After Winston suffers through his torture and decries everything- his distaste for Big Brother, his suspicion of changing information, his mental rejection of double speak- he becomes just another guy. Another drone under Big Brother, a man who loves and follows Big Brother and works for Big Brother. At first, I admit I was disappointed. I kind of hoped for some sort of upset, a little sense of rebellion or even a feeling that something might have changed because of what Winston did. That lack of closure in that sense, however, was actually really good for the book though. It just shows how hopeless, how drone-like, how terrible an existence under a complete ruler can be, and how there really isn't any hope of the dystopian society changing after it has come in full swing. It really drove home that people should actively keep their most basic rights, and never let them slip away.
"1984" was one of the most contemporary feeling books I have ever read that was written before the 80's. It's well written, engaging, exciting and interesting, and provides intellectual fodder as well as personal enjoyment. There is suspense, love, and introspective thought, and the entire novel is building up towards the big twists on the end. Personally, I think "1984" is one of the best of its kind, and was a better political metaphor than Alduous Huxley's "Brave New World" or even Orwell's own "Animal Farm." However, you'll never be able to look at your government the same again- Big Brother is watching you.
Book Review: 1984: the views of a seventh grader on one of sci- fi's most intricate novels
Summary: 2 Stars
The book 1984 is a dystopian novel, (a novel about a nightmarish world) set in the year 1984, written by George Orwell. The setting of the book is Airstrip One, formerly London, England, and is ruled by a totalitarian ruler with the title Big Brother. The book is a commentary on communism. For example, the features of Big Brother are close to those of Stalin's, and their political group is referred to as the party. The story line follows a Winston Smith, who is wary of the party's rules and is thinking of rebellion. He first starts writing a diary, which is strictly illegal of the party. He meets up with two allies who share his quest, one a beautiful women and the other a member of the inner party, or the head of the group. But other than that, I can't say. This is as far as I've gotten before this review was due
What I enjoy about 1984 is the suspense. You are never quite sure about what is going to happen next. The plot is a bit slow in the first few pages, but then gets faster as the book goes on. As for the characters, they are people you can relate to and you can always picture them in your head. The book will keep you on a train ride of suspense and intrigue as you read of the demolished world that could've been in 1984.
Book Review: A Haunting, Believable Look At the End of Human Freedom
Summary: 5 Stars
"1984" is a haunting look into a post Nuclear War world where all world governments have evolved into all-seeing, all knowing, ruthless police states constantly at war. It is a very worthwhile read for all of us now in the post-industrial/nuclear era. Whether humanity is capable of degrading to and sustaining such a system is hard to know, but as Walter Cronkite explains in the forward, this book is a warning about what we may be capable of allowing if we are not vigilant in defense of our liberties and human, not mechanized, way of life. Written from the first person perspective, the reader bonds with Winston Smith, a likable and familiar fellow to any reader. We experience the terror and fear omnipresent in his society and join him as he begins to question the Party. The "Telescreen," the infamous device in every party member's home that both broadcasts the party line and watches the residents is a pessimistic preview of what our broadbanded, HD media devices could become.Book Review: A very disturbing book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is an Orwell classic, all about how totalitarian governments were tricking the people, destroying freedom, and ruining the world. The main character is Winston Smith, a disgruntled middle class office worker who secretly harbors a hatred of The Party. The world in which Winston lives is divided into three super states: Oceana, Eurasia, and Eastasia. Winston lives in London, the capital of Oceana, which is ruled by a totalitarian regime known as The Party, and it's leader Big Brother. The Party does not allow any dissent against it and even thinking rebellious thoughts is a crime. They change history to their liking and falsify endless documents to be in their favor. Winston does not know what is true and what is lies. The Party is constantly watching Winston and he must be careful not to give himself away. He eventually starts a love affair with a woman named Julia, who also hates The Party and all that it stands for. They get in touch with an inner party member named O'Brien who claims to be part of a rebel organization known as the Brotherhood. He is actually a party spy and Winston and Julia are eventually arrested. Winston is interrogated and tortured to try and force him to accept the party ideals. Eventually he is subjected to his worst nightmare, having his face eaten by rats. He begs that they do it to Julia instead, breaking his most important promise not to betray her. His soul destroyed, Winston is released. He no longer loves Julia and has learned to love Big Brother and The Party. This book is a very bleak view of what George Orwell saw the world becoming in 1949. Although it is quite disturbing this book makes you think a lot and is very well written. I recommend this if you like other George Orwell books as well as depressing novels.
Book Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
Orwell was a pioneer in this form of literature. His insight into a "possible" future held more accuracy than I'm sure even he imagined.
The book is a struggle of man vs. ministry. How far will the few in positions of power go to improve their personal ideals in the guise of overall social improvement?
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys dark themes. The ending had me in tears.
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