1984
PRO1651495
1984
1984

1984 by George Orwell

4.45 out of 5
(20 customer reviews)

$29.97

“1984” by George Orwell is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society where the government, led by Big Brother, exercises complete control over people’s lives. It explores themes of surveillance, thought control, and the consequences of totalitarianism, highlighting the dangers of a repressive regime.

Book Summary

Winston Smith lives in a place called Oceania, where the ruling Party closely watches everyone through screens, and their leader is called Big Brother. The Party controls everything, including history and language. They’re pushing a new language called Newspeak to eliminate rebellious thoughts and make even thinking against the Party illegal.

Winston is unhappy with the Party’s strict rules that ban free thought, sex, and individuality. He secretly keeps a diary to record his rebellious thoughts and is obsessed with a Party member named O’Brien, whom he thinks is part of a group trying to overthrow the Party.

Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he changes historical records to fit the Party’s narrative. He’s worried about a coworker, Julia, who might report his rebellious thoughts. He’s also troubled by the Party’s control of history and the claim that Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia.

One day, Julia confesses her love to Winston, and they begin a secret relationship. They rent a room in the prole district, always fearing they’ll get caught. As their relationship grows, so does Winston’s hatred for the Party. Eventually, they receive a message from O’Brien, a powerful Inner Party member who claims to oppose the Party.

Winston and Julia meet O’Brien, who reveals he’s a spy, not a rebel. They get arrested, and Winston ends up at the Ministry of Love. O’Brien tortures and brainwashes him. In the end, Winston is taken to Room 101, where he faces his worst fear, rats. He betrays Julia to save himself.

Winston is released, meets Julia again, but feels nothing for her. He fully accepts the Party and loves Big Brother.

Specifications

ISBN: 0358359929
EAN13: 9780358359920
Language: English
Pages: 288
Weight: 1 lbs.
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

20 reviews for 1984 by George Orwell

  1. Rick Reichert
    3 out of 5
    This edition is bare-bones and seems to be cutting corners (to save space?). The cover itself fine, and it comes with a bookmark ribbon, but the typsetting is strange and sometimes difficult to read. For example, every reference to DOUBLETHINK or Newpseak words in general are in full caps -- at least make them italic or small caps. Even stranger is that they place dialog from multiple characters on the same line all over the place. The original had proper line breaks between speakers. Overall, nice compact hardcover edition but needs an editorial pass and fixing of the font style / quote conventions.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Gladys Tumwebaze
    5 out of 5
    Literary Masterpiece. Eerily accurate description of the times we are in and headed to if we don't wake up. A must read for anyone who trusts the ruling government officials.
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    Molly King
    5 out of 5
    Whatever your views are politically, religiously, or spiritually, you will walk away after reading this book knowing you do not want to live in this hell scape. Although depending on when you are reading this, you might already be there.
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    Lolade Isokun
    5 out of 5
    Everyone should read this book!For, it is not only a novel that provides us with a depiction of, and a warning against, a kind of Stalinist totalitarianism, but it also delves into philosophical ideas regarding language, ethics/ethical treatment, the meaning of life, etc., which certainly adds depth and complexity to this great novel.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Cathy Bode
    3 out of 5
    The book has hyphens everywhere, badly formatted, still readable. The book itself is an outstanding piece of literature and quite enjoyable.
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    Paul Abayisenga
    5 out of 5
    George Orwell was certainly an imaginative visionary writer! While I didn't particularly like the characters, from selfish Winston and immature Julia to all of the scared, blind, or evil people they met up with, 1984 is a fascinating tale of a country, a world, where the powerful AI and the military control the minions. And here we are, choosing to be watched, to share our every move... I'm sharing what I have read and what I think about it with everyone on Amazon and Goodreads... Please don't turn me in to the thinkpol...
    Helpful? 0 0
    Pravin Bahl
    3 out of 5
    Decent read but not very uplifting
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    Grace Maleka
    5 out of 5
    Great book
    Helpful? 0 0
    Faye Morris
    5 out of 5
    Like the hardcover and the really fine binding.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Rogers Yundt
    5 out of 5
    Bought for a book exchange. Everyone should read this book once every feed years even.
    Helpful? 0 0
    Narmada Bose
    5 out of 5
    Should be mandatory reading in high schools and college. Right after US and World History class that goes back at least yo the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians
    Helpful? 0 0
    Abbie Jacobs
    5 out of 5
    Orwell was a gifted visionary. One should read this book twice, especially teenagers, and it has a place in every home.
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    Adalberto Robel
    5 out of 5
    Great writing and so appropriate for the world today. The evidence seen today with censorship and media control - corporate special interests have all but captured government agencies. Covid was the most obvious example.
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    Carlie Runolfsson
    3 out of 5
    I guess I'm not a big Orwell fan he can drone on and on just to get more words into the book without adding to the story. Okay read but I would not add to your bucket list.
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    Ifeoma Yussuf
    5 out of 5
    Excellent food for thought about government in full control and how it interacts with the population for it's sake not yours! Orwell was ahead of his time with this book & Animal Farm both exposing brilliantly human dysfunctional behavior. Timeless and educational
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    Rebecca Wyman
    5 out of 5
    Very thought provoking. Makes you question what we really know and what we have been told we know. What is real?
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    Shania Rippin
    5 out of 5
    This is one of the most impactful books I have ever read. I recommend that everyone read it. It is shocking and eye opening. It is too close to reality.The nature of man to control others and the ability of people to lie to themselves is so sad. This is the problem with governments.
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    Heaven Aufderhar
    4 out of 5
    This was not an easy read and often hard to.follow. In some ways too.close to today's reality even though it was first released more than 70 years ago. Many of the phrases used are parroted daily.by media. Did Orwell have the gift of prophecy, did he have a window to.the future, or was he just politically astute? Or is he only off by less.than 40 years?
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    Lindsay Wilkinson
    3 out of 5
    A lot of spelling errors.
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    Isioma Chibike
    5 out of 5
    I read this book in the 1960's and wanted to read it again. I'm 85 and wanted to read it at my leisure, rather than borrow it from a library. The paperback book is fine. After purchasing it, I heard the book has been banned in some states. I haven't finished it yet, but it's an interesting read. I talked to my adult children, and they said the book was required reading when they were in high school.
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