I don’t think "1984" is a particularly brilliant novel in terms of the writing. The characters don't quite manage to leap off the page; we're drawn into their plights more by the dire circumstances they navigate than by their own merits. However, as political commentary it really nails what it sets out today. Though the comparisons to Big Brother today often stretch beyond what Orwell's intended, I don’t disagree that taking the leap and applying the concepts contained within makes sense. It remains timeless, and its commentary relevant, but I do struggle with whether or not you actually need to read the thing.

There were segments that captivated me and others that felt like having my boots sucked off by a slightly-deeper-than-I-thought-mud-puddle. Talk about drudgery. I can understand why some people have chosen the SparksNotes version of this bad boy. You’ll get the gist without the pain. Obviously, I read it out of sheer curiosity, and though I’m not upset that I did, I don’t honestly think you need more than the abridged notes. I certainly understand why so many people raise it when talking about today – it does have an uncanny reflection of our current socioeconomic times.

The parallels it draws with today's world are unnervingly accurate, to the point of discomfort. It’s a topic that shouldn’t be avoided, as the truths in the book (how easily it is to remove democracy but also how much the sheer numbers of those not in power are a real to them) are more poignant than ever.

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Created Apr 05, 2024 at 1:28pm • Submit your own review...