My Reading Experiment (Book #21) - 1984

Target:    100 books
Current:    21 books

I've read one other George Orwell novel before this - Animal Farm. I loved it! It is a small book with the story line being that anthropomorphic animals have taken over the running of a farm. Masquerading as a slightly twisted children's book, what it really is is a full blown political satire that makes sharp jabs at the Soviet Union that came into being after the Russian revolution of 1917. While you can definitely read and enjoy the book without noticing any of the hidden meanings, an understanding of the then political climate adds to the overall experience.

It wasn't my intention to "review" Animal Farm, but looks like I sort of did it anyway. The bottom line is that I have fond memories of reading George Orwell, and I figured I'd give his other famous book, 1984, a shot.

#21

1984
- George Orwell

Liked it, Dystopian, Political, Censorship, Social hierarchy

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say, just two books into his body of work, that George Orwell was obsessed with politics. It all starts when Winston Smith puts pen to paper, a most heinous crime in 1984 Oceania. The book follows Winston as he struggles to live in accordance with the rules of a government that is everywhere - in his ears, in his eyes, and almost in his head. I wonder if the term "Big Brother" has its roots in this book. Winston works as one of the outer party members, his job being to literally rewrite history as and when the situation demands it. When the government predicts an increase in chocolate production, but in reality chocolate production falls to the extent that everyone's chocolate ration needs to get cut, it is Winston's (and his department's) job to re-write every article that was ever written where the government predicted an increase in chocolate production. Big Brother never got it wrong.

There is hardly anyone left in Oceania with a recollection of life earlier than in the 50’s, and the few who do remember have but a fuzzy, vague picture hidden somewhere in the deep recesses of their minds. Winston sets out trying to find more information about the secret brotherhood that is purported to be rebelling against Big Brother, and to see if he can somehow join their ranks. He also makes an attempt at love in a highly desexualized environment. The book reveals, in an incremental fashion, more and more about the government and its beliefs. Winston's discoveries take him to the edge of acceptable social norms, and what happens there on that ledge makes for a pretty interesting read.

Easily, my favourite parts of the book were when words and concepts like Doublethink, Thoughtcrime, Room 101, Newspeak, etc. were explained and explored.

“Four! Stop it, stop it! How can you go on? Four! Four!”

“How many fingers, Winston?”

“Five! Five! Five!”

“No, Winston, that is no use. You are lying. You still think there are four. How many fingers, please?”