By: | George Orwell |
Pages: | 326 |
Published: | Jun 8th, 1949 |
Genre(s): | Science Fiction |
Dystopia | |
Politics | |
Rating: | (69) |
946 points
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Purchase one of 1st World Library's Classic Books and help support our free internet library of downloadable eBooks. Visit us online at www.1stWorldLibrary.ORG - - It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not...
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This is a classic that I decided to get because it seemed to be liked by others. Not so much by me. Parts were interesting, most was so bizarre and simply strange. Very well performed on Audible.com, though.
Oct 14th, 2019
This book had been on my list to read for a very long time and I am so glad I finally decided to read it! The novel is the essence of what Distopia is. Orwell did not disappoint with his thought provoking world of hate, anger and conformity. I truly felt like I was right along side the protagonist as he travels from resistance to ultimately acceptance. Also a perfect read in this unprecedented era where we now compare "doublethink" to "alternative facts." "A peace that was truly permanent would be the same as a permanent war."
Jan 31st, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did not fully appreciate it in high school, but I do now. Probably would rate this #1 at this point, but I have a lot of books to go.
Jul 26th, 2016
Orwell is a genius ! Everything is pondered and makes you ponder a lot, one of the best book I've read !
Jun 1st, 2016
Absolutely brilliant! It was very fun but also thought provoking with its not-so-subtle anti totalitarianism remarks. Well-written and has an interesting world! Winston Smith is the representation of the society and he is very well built up and described by George Orwell! Amazing book.
Apr 5th, 2016
I hear many things for that book before read it..All my friend has read it and found it simply amazing..Tell me is soft and masterpiece..When i start to read it little trouble me because dont have conversations..On the most part "George Orwell" describe the story with detail..When i continue to read it i go very deep in the story and i wasn't to go out..Read hours and hours with passion the story..The book is really masterpiece with amazing storytelling from "Orwell"..Is so prophetic,merciless,clever without happy ending..Is very serious with specific detail about anything..Is one of the most influence books all the time..How movies take something from it?How songs write about this?.Big brother tv show take the name and the plan from this book.. I suggest this book to anyone whom want to start reading literature..Soft,good written and it can relax anyone..
Aug 5th, 2015
Great book. Lots of interesting ideas and content such as the doublethink and Ingsoc. A must read book for people whose minds wander to the borders to the limits and borders of new ideas and thoughts.
Apr 12th, 2015
Very interesting book. But you can skim the chapter when he is reading from the book. That part was so freaking long. But everything else was great!
Mar 10th, 2015
Idea of it is cool "big brother" but felt like it dragged on and on and on...
Jan 11th, 2015
You must read this book and see how prophetic Orwell was and is. Big brother is watching.
Dec 7th, 2014
A great political novel. An essential novel for any government or its bureaucrats to consider so as to edify the present state. Orwell succeeds in conveying the point: the grave truth about a totalitarian system.
Jun 30th, 2014
I really enjoyed parts 1 and 2, I couldn't put the book down, I did find part 3 dragged on a bit though. Overall a very good story that is likely the inspiration for a lot of films out there like V for Vendetta, Equilibrium and Minority Report.
Jan 6th, 2014
OMG - exciting - frightening - heart thumping!! Scary -no private space... No respite . And how prophetic?? For today and written before 1950! Did Orwell Tao into the future?
Oct 18th, 2013
Such a great book! Any book that can keep you on edge and keep your heart pounding is worth reading ans that is exactly what this book does.
Oct 4th, 2013
An amazing novel that brought a world of apprehension and overbearingness to life. It is the epitome of the dystopian novel.
Sep 6th, 2013
Everyone kept telling me how much I would hate this book, but I proved them all wrong by loving it! It was very thought provoking and enjoyable. It never moved at a fast pace, but it had plenty of action. The detailing is incredible (such as when Winston lays a hair across the top of the journal so he can tell if anyone tampers with it). I loved the characterization of Winston as well. I was not a huge fan of the ending, and some parts of the novel were definitely straight up WEIRD, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Aug 23rd, 2013
I found it predictable and bland. I did not find myself hoping for the story to end a certain way (ex. I didn't hope Winston would survive or not. I was just so uninterested). However, it will hopefully make you think.
Aug 22nd, 2013
I've heard about this book and the many references to Big Brother so often I decided to read it. It was nothing like I expected it to be. It's actually a love story. It's well written,I highly recommend it.
Jul 29th, 2013
An absolutely fascinating, completely captivating novel. Easily one of the greatest books I've ever read. I can't remember the last time I was so captured by a book, it constantly crossed my thoughts during the day, and often crept into my dreams at night. A brilliantly imaginative look at a dystopian future full of tyranny, fear and hatred. The three parts of this book pull so many emotions out of you. Amazing!
Jul 9th, 2013
My boyfriend's favourite book, I have to say it's a little eerie to be my favourite, especially as I watched television and imagined what it must be like for Winston, his every move being watched. It's certainly a very interesting book and there's something in it for everyone, politics, love, action, suspense and the power of the human mind!
May 20th, 2013
A hauntingly accurate portrayal of modern totalitarian governing. Big Brother is watching...
Mar 28th, 2013
This book was written as fiction, but may become to be know more as factual. The book dives deep into human imperfection and government control.
Mar 25th, 2013
I loved this book. It felt fantastical and unreal, yet there was still an eerie element of verisimilitude about it. Orwell's portrayal of the typical human's flaws as so scary and destructive makes this work truly a masterpiece.
Mar 22nd, 2013
It seems that as time progresses, a book once seen as paranoid and dystopian is only becoming closer and closer to the truth. Orwell creates an all too realistic and horrific vision of the future - one that hits close to home, and is only fiction in the most debatable sense.
Feb 25th, 2013
A work of fiction or a look into the future? It is interesting to see the parallels between this book and what is occurring currently within governments around the world, including our own. It makes you wonder how far off an Orwellian state actually is.
Feb 17th, 2013
When George Orwell wrote Animal Farm, he was met with great resistance from publishers in the Ministry of Information who believed that the book cast too harsh a light on Stalin and his political regimes. This experience helped launch some of the central themes for this work, 1984. Political fascism and control of information became tools used by Big Brother to control the citizens of Orwell's dystopia. The prevalence and unease of this book can still be felt today as we deal with issues in our own world that sometimes mirror the events in 1984, especially where censorship or socialist issues are concerned. It is a rare occurrence to read any commentary on issues of internet censorship or regulation, government decisions that seem invasive, or attempts to govern communication that aren't met with shouts of "Big Brother is watching!" Societal nervousness about losing their free will to be dominated by an oppressive government are still felt today and keep 1984 a relevant read.
Feb 15th, 2013
This book was assigned for Summer reading while I was in High School, but I would have read it either way. The story is engaging, the characters are very real, and the situation is just realistic enough to be creepy. Even though the real 1984 has come and gone without much trouble, this one could still be coming...
Feb 3rd, 2013
This was one of the very first books that I had to read for school that I actually enjoyed. For me it's the kind of book that changes the way you look at the world, which is the very best kind of book.
Jan 29th, 2013
Nineteen Eighty-Four appears on these lists...
30th on The 20th Centrury's Greatest Hits by American Book Review
86th on The Novel 100 by Daniel S. Bert
13th on 100 Best Novels by Modern Library
9th on Rival 100 Best Novels by Radcliffe
22nd on 100 Books of the Century by Le Monde
59th on 100 Greatest Novels of All Time by The Guardian
8th on Books You Can't Live Without by The Guardian
21st on 100 Novels Everyone Should Read by Telegraph
8th on The Big Read by BBC
2nd on Books of the Century by Waterstone
2nd on Top 100 Books by Newsweek