George Orwell

Raija Mattila

Vuonna 1984

George Orwell’s 1984 takes on new life with extraordinary relevance and renewed popularity. “Orwell saw, to his credit, that the act of falsifying reality is only secondarily a way of changing perceptions. It is, above all, a way of asserting power.”—The New Yorker In 1984, London is a grim city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be. Lionel Trilling said of Orwell’s masterpiece, “1984 is a profound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating book. It is a fantasy of the political future, and like any such fantasy, serves its author as a magnifying device for an examination of the present.” Though the year 1984 now exists in the past, Orwell’s novel remains an urgent call for the individual willing to speak truth to power.

1984

Angelica Garcia 

But after reading it he knew better than before that he was not mad. Being in a minority, even a minority of one, did not make you mad. There was truth and there was untruth, and if you clung to the truth even against the whole world, you were not mad.

Yajat Dayal

Maja Ruzicic

Applied to a Party member, it means a loyal willingness to say that black is white when Party discipline demands this. But it means also the ability to BELIEVE that black is white, and more, to KNOW that black is white, and to forget that one has ever believed the contrary.

anne

Die Massen revoltieren nie aus eigenem Antrieb, und sie revoltieren nie, nur weil sie unterdrückt werden. Solange man ihnen die Vergleichsmaßstäbe entzieht, werden sie nicht einmal merken, daß man sie unterdrückt 

Wäre ihm der Kontakt mit Ausländern gestattet, würde er feststellen, daß sie ganz ähnliche Menschen sind wie er und daß das meiste, was er über sie gehört hat, Lügen waren. 

a novel

Nineteen eighty-four

Luca Stromann

Talking to her, he realised how easy it was to present an appearance of orthodoxy while having no grasp whatever of what orthodoxy meant. In a way, the world-view of the Party imposed itself most successfully on people incapable of understanding it. They could be made to accept the most flagrant violations of reality, because they never fully grasped the enormity of what was demanded of them, and were not sufficiently interested in public events to notice what was happening. By lack of understanding they remained sane.

𖠋

‘Who controls the past, ran the Party slogan, 'controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.’ And yet the past, though of its nature al- terable, never had been altered. Whatever was true now was true from everlasting to everlasting. It was quite simple. All that was needed was an unending series of victories over your own memory. ‘Reality control', they called it: in New-speak, 'doublethink.’

Ghanshyam Kabra

Orthodoxy means not thinking-not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.

Igor Lanko

The weariness of the cell is the vigour of the organism. Do you die when you cut your fingernails?

Already we are breaking down the habits of thought which have survived from before the Revolution. We have cut the links between child and parent, and between man and man, and between man and woman. No one dares trust a wife or a child or a friend any longer.

It must be so; how could the immortal, collective brain be mistaken? By what external standard could you check its judgements?

里森

You must get rid of those 19th century ideas about the laws of nature. We make the laws of nature.

One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.

We shall turn you into gas and pour you into the stratosphere. […] You will never have existed.

O’Brien had tortured him to the edge of lunacy, and in a little while, it was certain, he would send him to his death. It made no difference. In some sense that went deeper than friendship.

‘E could 'a drawed me off a pint, grumbled the old man as he settled down behind his glass. A 'alf litre ain't enough. It don't satisfy. Anda 'ole litre's too much. It starts my bladder running, Let alone the price.' You must have seen great changes since you were a young man,' said Winston tentatively.

Perhaps a lunatic was simply a minority of one.

There is a word in Newspeak, said Syme, I don't know whether you know it: duckspeak, to quack like a duck. It is one of those interesting words that have two contradictory meanings. Applied to an opponent, it is abuse; applied to someone you agree with, it is praise.

The revolution will be complete when the language is perfect.

“What opinions the masses hold, or do not hold, is looked on as a matter of indifference. They can be granted intellectual liberty because they have no intellect.”

Once when he happened in some connexion to mention the war against Eurasia, she startled him by saying casually that in her opinion the war was not happening. The rocket bombs which fell daily on London were probably fired by the Government of Oceania itself, 'just to keep people frightened'.

Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.

A classic that is a must read, I was of course absorbed by it, leaving 4.5/5 simply because I would have liked it to be a bit less passive and more revealing. But really really good. 

Nina Alexandra Bacrau

THE AUTHORATITIVE TEXT "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." The year is 1984. War and revolution have left the world unrecognisable. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, is ruled by the Party, led by Big Brother. Mass surveillance is everything and The Thought Police ensure no individual thinking is allowed. Winston Smith works at The Ministry of Truth, carefully rewriting history. But Winston dreams of freedom, and of rebellion. It is here that he falls in love with Julia, and starts a secret, forbidden affair with her - but in this world nothing can be kept secret, and they are forced to face consequences more terrifying than either of them could have ever imagined. A dystopian masterpiece, this is the powerful and prophetic novel that defined the twentieth century. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ROBERT HARRIS

i read this for school and ive heard so much praise for this so i was eager to pick this up but it was an ordeal to even finish this... this wasn't my cup of tea at all, i hated it, it was sexist and all characters were extremely unlikeable. it was hard to read and although the depiction of the dystopian world was strong and quite interesting, i dont like how it was delivered at all

asmo

You're telling me this was published in 1949? Either Orwell foresaw the future, or some things never changed. I think it's worth a read, especially for those for whom this book is banned. 

Throckmorton

Oh boy! This took me for a ride! 

You're telling me this was published in 1949? Either Orwell foresaw the future, or some things never changed. I think it's worth a read, especially for those for whom this book is banned. 

I think I’d have liked this more as a younger person — the text is so well treaded and entrenched in our culture that it seemed a little like I was rereading. That said - it’s 1984, it’s a classic for a reason. World building and POV lessons to be gleaned of course. Read it!

Jess Rez

claire sim qiu yan

Not a happy ending, but interesting commentary on the state of society

Ethan

Library Edition

Nineteen Eighty-Four

The Audible Original adaptation of George Orwell's "1984" breathes new life into the classic novel with its stellar cast, immersive soundscapes, and faithful yet dynamic interpretation, offering a compelling experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

The performances are extraordinary, with Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Winston Smith capturing the character’s despair and rebellion with poignant precision. Cynthia Erivo also stands out, giving a chilling voice to Julia.

> “Garfield’s voice creates an eerie intimacy, making listeners feel as if they are inside Winston’s head, sharing his fear and hopelessness."

The sound design enhances the storytelling with subtle sound effects and background scores that set the tone perfectly, transporting listeners to the oppressive world of Oceania.

> "The background sounds and abrupt silences make the listener feel the omnipresent surveillance and control of Orwell’s dystopia."

Staying true to Orwell's original text, this adaptation adds a dynamic layer through auditory elements, building tension gradually and delivering the novel’s darker themes with raw intensity.

> "The narration captures Orwell’s bleakness while voice acting and sound effects amplify the tension and despair, making the horrors of the totalitarian regime feel more immediate and real."

The Audible Original adaptation of "1984" is a masterful rendition that pays homage to Orwell’s classic, enhancing the storytelling through audio. It is a must-listen for anyone looking to experience "1984" in a new light. Whether revisiting the novel or discovering it for the first time, this adaptation offers a compelling and haunting journey into the depths of totalitarianism and the resilience of the human spirit.

Erwin Lemuel Oliva

The Audible Original adaptation of George Orwell's "1984" breathes new life into the classic novel with its stellar cast, immersive soundscapes, and faithful yet dynamic interpretation, offering a compelling experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

1. Stellar Performances

The performances are extraordinary, with Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Winston Smith capturing the character’s despair and rebellion with poignant precision. Cynthia Erivo also stands out, giving a chilling voice to Julia.

> “Garfield’s voice creates an eerie intimacy, making listeners feel as if they are inside Winston’s head, sharing his fear and hopelessness."

2. Immersive Sound Design

The sound design enhances the storytelling with subtle sound effects and background scores that set the tone perfectly, transporting listeners to the oppressive world of Oceania.

> "The background sounds and abrupt silences make the listener feel the omnipresent surveillance and control of Orwell’s dystopia."

3. Faithful Yet Dynamic Interpretation

Staying true to Orwell's original text, this adaptation adds a dynamic layer through auditory elements, building tension gradually and delivering the novel’s darker themes with raw intensity.

> "The narration captures Orwell’s bleakness while voice acting and sound effects amplify the tension and despair, making the horrors of the totalitarian regime feel more immediate and real."

The Audible Original adaptation of "1984" is a masterful rendition that pays homage to Orwell’s classic, enhancing the storytelling through audio. It is a must-listen for anyone looking to experience "1984" in a new light. Whether revisiting the novel or discovering it for the first time, this adaptation offers a compelling and haunting journey into the depths of totalitarianism and the resilience of the human spirit.

I ADORED this book but the ending scarred me for life 

Cristhian Tilleria

I love these kind of books which finish with a very subjective end. Loved it from the beginning and its fame is completely understandable 

Martin

Zisan Bas

Wish I read it earlier but I am glad I read it at this age

not really my vibe,, the first half was sooo slow amd boring but then it got kinda good,, there were some plot teists and sentences thst got me thinking but I prefer more action 

taci

GODDAMN IS THERE ANY BOOK THAT IS MORE HEARTWRENCHING THAN THIS???

Anna 

1984 je rozhodně kniha, kterou by si měl přečíst každý. 
pojednávání o totalitních režimech tak těžkých, že přestanete věřit vlastním vzpomínkám. o tom přesně tahle kniha je a já si myslím, že orwell psychiku člověka žijícího v tomto režimu popsal úžasně. 
sledujeme zde winstona, který odjakživa ví, že celý ten systém nedává smysl, a tím víc ho štve, že to ostatní nějakým způsobem s klidem přijímají. proč tomu ale tak je? proč se jednoduše nevzbouří?
toto dílo se mi líbilo moc, i když bylo v druhé polovině už o dost těžší co se politiky a vnímání týče. rozhodně jsem ale ráda, že jsem se k němu dostala, protože něco takového napsat v padesátých letech je prostě.. pokrokové. až tak moc pokrokové, že orwell popsal následující události, o kterých ještě nemohl ani vědět, zároveň skvěle ukázal sílu moci. když se vám naskytne příležitost ovládnout polovinu světa, ať už to její obyvatele stojí cokoliv, většina lidí by na to zřejmě kývla. a to je strašlivě smutná realita, kterou si při čtení 1984 uvědomíte.
popisy angsockého systému mě nutili přemýšlet nad tím, jestli se náhodou v některých ohledech nynější politici neinspirují právě touto knihou. je až neskutečné, jak některé z těch věcí platí i v této době, v této společnosti. a ještě horší je, že si myslím, že lidi by se zachovali přesně tak, jak se chovají v knize. 
1984 je hodně depresivní kniha plná triggers, takže vás dopředu upozorňuji, že pokud si jí budete chtít přečíst, prosím, vyhledejte si, co všechno obsahuje. i mně při čtení nebylo zrovna nejlépe.
.
4*/5*, rozhodně je to zajímavé pojednání jak o totalitních režimech, tak o lidstvu a společnosti obecně. dalo mi to mnoho nových myšlenek a teď budu určitě několik dní filozofovat nad tím, jak moc se dnešní společnost podobá té orwellově. a zda se vůbec dá takovéto společnosti předejít.

Ícaro Morbeck

A narrativa de George Orwell é brilhante não apenas em sua construção de mundos, mas na forma como manipula as nossas emoções. Por nos colocar na visão subjetiva de Winston Smith, enxergamos a situação através de seus olhos. A opressão, a solidão em um mar de pessoas ignorantes, a chama da esperança de ver um mundo melhor no futuro, e a angústia de ter esta expectativa arrancada de você de forma violenta.

O grande debate deste livro é o conceito da verdade. Afinal, como sabemos que dois mais dois são quatro? Ou que a força da gravidade funciona? Ou que o passado é imutável? Se o passado e o mundo existem apenas na mente humana, e se a própria mente é controlável, o que acontecerá? Por isso eu me assusto ao terminar este livro e olhar para o mundo, encontrando várias pessoas que acreditam na verdade como um conceito volátil e mutável. Se estas pessoas se tornassem maioria, nossa realidade não estaria muito distante de se tornar algo como o que vemos neste livro. Este é um pensamento burro, e como visto nestas páginas, a forma mais eficiente de subjugar a sociedade é mantê-la burra. 

Testemunhamos uma lavagem cerebral generalizada que, diferente de outras histórias, essa é possível. A história humana é reescrita e ressignificada. Ideias são vaporizadas, filosofias extintas, levando consigo o patrimônio de gerações. Pessoas e coisas não apenas se tornam obsoletas, mas são deletadas da existência.

Isso mexeu comigo pelo fato de que tudo o que já foi, existe por causa da memória. Apagando a memória, o que resta? Quem foram as pessoas do passado? O que elas defendiam de verdade? Obras de arte perdem seu sentido original, e acontecimentos históricos objetivos, factuais e concretos se tornam subjetivos, ou excluídos. 

É genial ler este livro depois de "A revolução dos bichos", e perceber o quanto as duas obras são complementares. Dessa forma, quando vamos ler 1984, já temos uma compreensão sobre como as coisas neste universo podem ter chegado a este ponto. Há paralelos fascinantes entre as duas obras, como os membros do partido interno sendo referenciados como "porcos" em diversos momentos ao longo do livro. Dentre outros.

armoni mayes

Orwell just is not for me but that is okay. I read animal farm last year & obviously just finished 1984 and both kind of missed the mark for me.

Abigail Marie

Timeo Williams

George Orwell very well may be my favorite writer to date. Outstanding book, with themes and metaphors that have great relevance to our world today.

I read the new Audible version and it was very theatrical. I loved the immersive experience. I will say there were some spicy bits and some gruesome aspects that made it unsettling. (There is a warning about this before you start the book). Story wise it was great. The ending is unexpected and not at all what you want but it sends a powerful message of fear about losing our freedoms.

Camron Swartzendruber

Léa

did I really read it ? no, not really but I read a few summaries and A LOT of analysis and even analysed it in class lmao. I also had to write a wholeass essay about it and I most probably failed but oh well

I remember struggling with this smack, it was a constant fight between dnfing for the plain misogyny or continuing for the political commentary (what did I expect from a white man)

I finished this book years ago and it has still stayed with me. Absolutely amazing, one of my favourite books ever. The plot, prose, and characters are immaculate. 

Chloe Dawson

Hanna Rybchynska

This book is not simple nor it has an amazing story. For me, it has an interesting message and I wanted to know what the writer wanted to say and not how the story will progress. I know that this story is an extreme example but there are a lot of connections between our world and Orwell's world. 
I recommend this to those who like complex reading, also to those who enjoy a good book about social and governmental manipulation.

I had a sudden hankering to reread 1984 and I will neither apologize nor explain that any further… thank you goodbye..

Vuonna 1984

Reviews

Highlights