What do people think?
2006-11-14 22:48:16 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
It's quite good, but George Orwell wrote better things
2006-11-14 22:51:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The book is good but it does suffer from the fact that some of it's themes have been taken and changed out of context - Room 101 isn't for losing things, it's a torture chanmber in the book and the point of big brother is that you have no idea who is watching or controlling you - not a load of wannabe celebrities in a house who know exactly who is watching them.
It is also woth remembering that the world order has changed since the time of writing. The Nazi threat, although diminished, still influenced people and the expansion of the Soviet Union and the USA created the three big areas at 'total war' (which is comparable to The War Against Terrorism - T.W.A.T.).
It can be contrasted against 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley.
2006-11-18 02:56:40 · answer #2 · answered by Dr No 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one of the best books I've ever read. Orwell spookily predicts many of the issues that are prevalent in our society today such as constant monitoring of individuals by cctv, propaganda, war, control, lack of individualism. Written in 1948, the society is reflective of Stalin's tyranny and coins many phrases that are part of our language today such as Big Brother and Room 101. He's a genius --- once you've read this, you should also read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, written in the 1930's Huxley describes a world where people are expected to be promiscuous and take drugs as any meaningful relationships are considered dangerous. Babies are conceived by test-tube breeding and their path in life is dictated pre-birth. It's very scary and once again many of the issues have actually taken place such as genetic engineering. Enjoy!!
Both books fall into the genre of Dystopian Fiction and serve as a warning to the reader of what may be (Dystopia is the opposite of Utopia and always shows worlds that we would never want to live in). Hope this helps.
2006-11-15 00:36:49 · answer #3 · answered by PAULA S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was a bit disappointed. On the whole it was good and there are some really iconic bits and pieces in there, but I sort of got the impression from it that George Orwell was a bit of an alpha male bore. I can't quite explain why.
2006-11-16 05:09:13 · answer #4 · answered by Athene1710 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent book.
The only thing in the UK that would be different if it was written again is the date would read
2004 not 1984.
UK has a third of all CCTV in the world, a tiny little island like this. We are captured on camera all the time now, it is only frightening if you are up to no good I suppose.
Read the book & be amazed at the similarities.
Enjoy.
2006-11-14 22:53:45 · answer #5 · answered by Deanlad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doubleplusgood!
I found it an excellent read, although a little low on the feel-good factor!
Orwell can tell a good tale, but the book is primarily a political warning. When you read the definition of 'Quackspeak', think about almost any political speech made by the Blair government! (I'm an oldthinker who unbellyfeels Blairsoc!)
2006-11-14 22:53:02 · answer #6 · answered by Avondrow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
May I suggest you read these seven books first BEFORE reading 1984. They lend a HUGE insight to his later (and most famous) work, and without them, your'e not really gonna get the big picture.
Down and Out in Paris and London // Victor Gollancz Ltd. / GB, London / January 9, 1933.
Burmese Days // Harper and Brothers / USA, New York / October 25, 1934.
A Clergyman's Daughter // Victor Gollancz Ltd. / GB, London / March 11, 1935.
Keep the Aspidistra Flying // Victor Gollancz Ltd. / GB, London / April 20, 1936.
The Road to Wigan Pier // Victor Gollancz Ltd. / GB, London / March 8, 1937.
Homage to Catalonia // Victor Gollancz Ltd. / GB, London / April 25, 1938.
Coming Up for Air // Victor Gollancz Ltd. / GB, London / June 12, 1939.
Animal Farm // Secker and Warburg / GB, London / May 1945.
NOW... read 1984 (written as you probably know, in 1948)
2006-11-14 23:09:54 · answer #7 · answered by mittobridges@btinternet.com 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it is an excellent book, it has a love story, torture, opression and created the characters of big brother (hence the tv show) and the dreded room 101 (the other tv show!) into wich the traitors and thought crminals go, there is secret survailence and hate week. it is a very strong book
the film is also okay, with john hurt as winston!
2006-11-15 02:42:28 · answer #8 · answered by judith c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the current state of international terrorism I'd have to agree, your already living it. But it's worth the read anyway! Just dont expect to be full of the joys of life after it!!
2006-11-15 00:35:40 · answer #9 · answered by KC 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A very good book to read - when you finish this book maybe you could also read Animal Farm another great classic :)
2006-11-14 22:58:10 · answer #10 · answered by Longjohn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋