1984, Orwell

[Brill]

I have to read this for a Lit. class.

I understand the basic jist, but can I get peoples opinions on the book?

Likes and Dislikes-etc.

[The Gaffer]

This book is both terrifying and one of the most important works of 20th century literature.

Sadly, it probably shouldn't be in the "fantasy & sci-fi" bracket, simply because it's turning out to be more like a documentary.

It's 20 years since I read it, but one thing that's always stuck in my mind are the songs that the proles sing to distract themselves from the reality under which they're living. I think of this every time another Pop Idol competition gets going or some celebrity gets a new hair cut.

[sun-star]

1984 has to be the most disturbing book I've ever read. I don't think we're necessarily as close to it today as people sometimes claim, but the potential for moving in that direction is clearly there. Another thing about Orwell is that he gave us a language of totalitarianism (Big Brother etc), so that now we have those terms, we can recognise the things themselves. Does that make sense? Hopefully 1984 will act as a warning against allowing our society to go that way.