Have you read the book "Nineteen Eighty-four"?

Question

What did you think?

Answer 1

I found this novel extremely thought provoking. It is a book every young and old American should read to learn what could easily happen to their civilization or rather what is happening. George Orwell is acting as a visionary in telling a story that is becoming reality more each day. It is frightening to think if the government in our society is not stopped they can become equally as corrupt as the Party in Oceania. The thought that the government not only controls what you are doing each day, but also controls how you think is terrifying.
The brilliant novel kicks off with Winston Smith, a member of the Party, climbing up flights of stairs with his throbbing varicose ulcer aching. The thirty-nine year old goes through his life second guessing the Party and all it stands for. Winston starts by recording his thoughts in a diary. After reviewing his thoughts he even wondered if he himself was indeed a lunatic. Through the book he is running from the dreaded Thought Police. Winston became involved with Julia another enemy of Big Brother. They met up secretly in multiple hiding spots. There they exchanged words about their combined hatred for the Party which followed with romantic pleasantries between the two. Inevitably the two are captured and brought to the Ministry of Love where their minds were molded into the stupid followers of the Party. At the conclusion Winston gives his soul up to the Party.
This is a must read for all individuals. Even though written as a fiction novel the story 1984, can be linked to parts of today's society despite the fact that the year itself has since passed. The way the novel is able to draw in readers and immediately involve them in what events are occurring in the novel, is simply mind boggling. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a sense of excitement for the book they are reading.

Answer 2

Yes, I read it back in the 70's. When I did, I thought that government in a free society could not possibly intrude on the lives of its citizens to that extent. Now with Bush in the White House, I unfortunately found out that it has actually happened.

I think this book should be required reading in every high school English or Literature class.

Answer 3

It's an amazingly still-relevant novel. I have read other Orwell works (including his short stories) and 1984 is definitely his most approachable work. It's easy to become paranoid after reading about Big Brother. After I first read it, I started noticing cctvs everywhere I went. Now I wonder if politicians have read the novel and use similar tactics in real life.

Answer 4

It's a good thought provoking novel. The first half especially raises interesting questions in comparison to modern day society. The second half tends to drag on, but the messages garnered are still important ones.

Answer 5

I still recommend reading it to younger readers. I read it in the 80s, and since then, I have begun to see many of the psychological tricks now being used not only by governments but also by big businesses. Its lesson: The individual is powerless against such relentless onslaughts of psychological warfare. As long as we are divided against ourselves, we will not survive long...

Answer 6

Very interesting. I really enjoyed it, although I can't say the same about Animal Farm. But I definitely remember 1984 with fondness.

Answer 7

If you mean 1984, yes. It is still a valuable warning of what could happen if government becomes to powerful in the lives of everyday citizens.

Answer 8

Havent thought about since 1984.

Answer 9

Yep. It's getting more and more frightening. You need to read Fahrenheit 451 too. These books are starting to look more realistic.

Answer 10

It's a great book. But make it easier on yourself- it's called "1984," so you don't have to spell the whole thing out.