It's original for this time, but look at all the other sci-fi books from that era and they all center around the 'big brother' thing. I liked 1984 even thought it was slightly confusing and slow. But I loved how it put me off balance. What a mind trip. Try "A Brave New World" if u liked 1984. My Dad read it and liked it and I've started but got 2 finish 1984 first.:&
I would suggest a contrasting view of the subjugation of individuals by reading Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. For Orwell, government would "burn" books to prevent people from reading them; for Huxley, no outside force would be necessary, people would be too caught up in trivial matters to want to read books.
i read 1984 a few months ago. and i really enjoyed it. well i wouldn't say enjoyed it actually. But it really moved me. i had a definate emotional response to the book. it made me feel very exposed and vulnerable, almost like i myself was being watched. And i think thats attributable to Orwell's excellent writing. Haven't seen the movie, but i heard tim burton did it, so i thought that might be good. I think its certainly a product of its time, but i think it retains its relevance today. as was referred to earlier with cctv cameras. and keeping the proletariat too busy to revolt. Which is relevant in relation to the sensationalism of the news in the US where your not sure really where the news was in that segment (i.e Fox) And thanks for the reccomendation, im definatley going to check out 'brave new world'
1984 is my favourite book of all time. I have read it about 4 times and every time it still affects me. I have also read brave new world after a bloke I was talking to while I was at uni said you must read it if you liked 1984. I liked it but not as much. Constantly when things happen politically it makes me think how much England is getting more like air strip one. With America and Britain being more like Ooceana changing it allies. The way the bbc is censored and Greg dyke being sacked. The way they are trying to bring in Id cards it all reminds me of 1984. I find it amazing that he wrote it all before cctv. Room 101 scares me the most. I just think would I sacrifice the people I love if I was that scared.
I think 1984 is better taken as a warning on the dangers of group thought or group consciousnes. I think Orwell's message is that independent thought will always defeat the false logic or a group consciousness (towards the end, white always wins at chess). Group thought exists today - in the names of religion and government - so the book is timeless. I shutter to think of what will happen if Republicans continue to dominate the government with their outspoken religious affiliation. As for surveliance; not quite as bad as a telescreen in every room yet - but then again, our office buildings have them everywhere, our schools too. And as you see the corporate state looking more and more like the public state - 1984 isn't going to be far off. Its getting to the point where while your at work, the company owns you and makes the rules (why not just call them laws?).
