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A book I admire, but don't particularly likeAugust 11, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
1984 is the kind of book that I admire more than like. I admire Orwell for how detailed and believable the world he builds is. For his efforts to set a dark and unsettling mood and for his detailed analysis of its politics.
The reasons I don't like it as much as so many other people? Well, it didn't do anything for me. I couldn't relate or feel anything for the characters. I didn't find the story haunting or particularly appealing. It didn't even make me think, when I was reading books like Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 or Camus' The Fall I had to close every few pages to think about it, because I couldn't hold my thoughts back, with 1984 this didn't happen at all.
Reading it's a subjective experience, no matter how good a book is, if you don't feel anything as a result of reading it, why then give it a high rating? I wish I'd liked it better, or at least spotted any major reason for my dislike, but I didn't.
Big Brother is watching you!August 3, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"1984" is George Orwell's warning of the dangers of a totalitarian society. The main character in the novel, Winston Smith, is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in the country of Oceania. Winston and his fellow citizens are monitored everywhere they go, even in their own homes. Party members spy on everyone using ever-present telescreens, and pictures of "Big Brother," the Party's leader, are on display everywhere. The Party's main goal is to eliminate all forms of individual thought, which can lead to rebellion. In order to do that, the language of Newspeak is being integrated into society in hopes of eliminating 80% of all words and thus reducing the chances of a revolt. Sex is also another aspect of life considered taboo by the Party, and Winston eventually begins an affair with a woman named Julia with full knowledge of the fact that if they get caught, they could both be killed by the government. Winston ultimately finds himself fighting a dangerous battle with the Party, and it's a fight he cannot possibly hope to win.
This novel is as powerful now as it was when it was written in the late 1940s. Orwell's commentary about the dangers of totalitarianism coupled with an analysis of the powers of psychological manipulation are truly frightening. I can't say that this book is enjoyable to read because the subject matter is very disturbing, but "1984" is a well-crafted and thought-provoking book that should be ready by everyone.
Incredible best book I ever readJuly 28, 2008 This has to be one of the most important books in the modern era, never has a book changed the way I viewed government, and society as this book has. You'll be reflecting upon this book for days and even well after.
Chillingly PertinentJuly 24, 2008 The power of 1984 lies in its author's uncanny prescience. The ordeal of protagonist Winston Smith is similar to that which many Americans are experiencing today, through the gradual erosion of personal liberties and the creeping intrusiveness of government. The most chilling aspects of the novel concern not its depiction of graphic torture, but rather its treatment of its fictional media, which distorts reality at whim to suit the aims of Big Brother. The extent to which betrayal by government plays a part in the story should also be haunting for today's citizens. These maladies are too eerily close to what is happening today in America, as media spin distorts every story out of control and politicians are making themselves more impossible to trust every day. That George Orwell foresaw so many decades ago the rise of leaders like George Bush and Dick Cheney truly testifies to his sagacity, just as the story's power to transfix and haunt modern readers testifies to his brilliance as a storyteller.
Great Book, Inumerable Glaring ErrorsJuly 23, 2008 4 out of 10 found this review helpful
I love this book, it was a great read.
However, there are simply too many mistakes, misspellings, etc in this version. This is the very worst edition of any book I have ever read. I started highlighting the mistakes on my kindle, but there were just too many and I gave up.
Add to that that the chapters are not marked, and there is no proper index.
If you do buy this horrible edition, be prepared to read around an obvious error every other page or so.
Some examples include: "There were four others oil the committee" "And they would sit round die table"
