Orwell's 1984

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Scott** » 27 Dec 2006, 18:29

Assuming you've read 1984 by George Orwell, what do you think of it? (If you haven't read it, I highly recommend you do.) It's probably my favorite book, depending on how much I consider contemporary books. I wrote a few of my thoughts about 1984 down: Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

knightss · Post by **knightss** » 27 Dec 2006, 20:43

i just picked it up the other day because of your recommendation... unfortunatly(well not really..) i also picked up 4 other books and i plan to read a few of them before i get to 1984.

LoveHatesYou · Post by **LoveHatesYou** » 28 Dec 2006, 12:30

I think Orwell's message in 1984 is timeless: beware your government, maintain your checks and balances, for someone is always watching. 1984 is one of the few political tragediesthat has remained timeless. The novel should be regarded as not only "historical", but also prophetic. Orwell reminds us of what has gone wrong, what can go wrong, and what will go wrong when government becomes omnipotent. It is because of this political and social insight that 1984 is still a powerful read today.

Linda · Post by **Linda** » 10 Jan 2007, 14:34

ha my mom keeps pushing 1984..that may be the only reason I haven't read it, basically just to spite her. lol. Now that I think about it tho thats a terrible reason to miss out on an apparently great book, so i'll have to give in and probably prove her right.
you win some you lose some.

knightss · Post by **knightss** » 10 Jan 2007, 15:28

it is a great book i finshed it a few nights ago.. i love the theory of newspeak.

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 14 Jan 2007, 05:34

I read it many years ago. A good strong book with some fantastic concepts. A little extremist I feel, but a good warning of the direction the Western world could quite easily head in if we don't keep ourselves aware of what we allow our governments to do.

Beautifully written that's for sure.

Dori · Post by **Dori** » 09 Jan 2008, 22:19

I just finished 1984 and I thought it was "good", but not "plusgood" (quotation marks denote words of "Newspeak," standing for good and excellent, respectively).

The ending surprised me a little. The concept of "Newspeak" is quite interesting (also the notion of "doublethink"). I also thought it was a little extreme at times.

All in all, it was a satisfying read.

Syrcco44 · Post by **Syrcco44** » 03 Feb 2008, 15:52

I thought it was ok. It's not something I would read again. Really disappointing ending, but I think Orwell ovbiously intended it that way. It's a good eye opener, though to the problems of our society - it kind of takes it into extreme absurd degrees that it really jolts the reader.

blushingmilk · Post by **blushingmilk** » 03 Feb 2008, 21:13

I've only read it once and I wouldn't say it's the type of book I would read again - but I did enjoy it and it really 'made me think'.

Incredibly prophetic when you think of the way the world is now with all the surveillance issues (Heck, even the paparazzi!), and such an interesting way of writing - and it also creeped me the hell out.

As far as Dystopian novels go, I found Brave New World, which I read years ago around the same time as Nineteen Eighty-Four, an easier read, but I love the dark, boring brown-suit tone of Nineteen Eighty Four.

And I have to give those two books credit for making me love dystopian movies!!

For those who enjoy nineteen eighty-four and brave new world, I highly recommend:

* 'The Island', starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson (loosely Brave New World)

* 'V for Vendetta', starring Natalie Portman, which gives a really interesting and incredibly artistic perspective on Guy Fawkes Day as well as delving into the prison-like torture of room 101!

* 'Equilibrium', a lesser known movie starring Christian Bale, which is almost exactly the same as nineteen eighty-four!

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 04 Feb 2008, 08:29

Ooh I love V for Vendetta. Hugo Weaving is MAGNIFICENT in that movie!

Dori · Post by **Dori** » 08 Feb 2008, 16:52

blushingmilk wrote:* 'V for Vendetta', starring Natalie Portman, which gives a really interesting and incredibly artistic perspective on Guy Fawkes Day as well as delving into the prison-like torture of room 101!

Read the graphic novel. It's much better.

knightss · Post by **knightss** » 08 Feb 2008, 21:23

Thanks for the suggestions =) i'm definitely going to check out the island and equilibrium now.
I'm a huge fan of both 1984 and Brave New World.
The movie '1984' is great too and is also true to the book

blushingmilk · Post by **blushingmilk** » 09 Feb 2008, 03:18

Dori wrote:
blushingmilk wrote:* 'V for Vendetta', starring Natalie Portman, which gives a really interesting and incredibly artistic perspective on Guy Fawkes Day as well as delving into the prison-like torture of room 101!

Read the graphic novel. It's much better.

Will do, Dori