1984

"Power is not a means it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish a dictatorship.
The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power."
-George Orwell. 1984

I wonder, if Orwell was alive today would he think we were still going in the same direction he predicted?
Would he think of websites like Facebook that offered to keep track of your whereabouts and activities everywhere you go and at all times as similar to the "telescreen" that watched you and waited for you to slip up?

I wonder how long it will be before the thought police come bearing down on us, condemning us of "thoughtcrime"!

Or has it been happening all along and we've just been too distracted to notice?!

Already, some governments require their faithful voters to practice "Doublethink" in order to support their criminal wars raged for power and resources and not for the overtly stated purposes!!

Already some people have adapted themselves to the reality that war need not be justifiable! it need not be in defense of freedom. It need only be frenzied and constant.

The lessons we are meant to learn from 1984 are as viable and applicable in today's world as they were the day the novel was published!

In fact, this is more than a novel.. this is a warning. This is a prophecy..

Big Brother is watching you. This is a brilliant read. The characterisation is brilliant. Winston is very well portrayed. You really feel a connection to him. The story takes the readers along for the ride. Up there with the best dystopian novels.

Reader reviewed by leebase

1984 - is a classic such that one wonders why someone would need to write a review.   Politics is so important and our schools do such a poor job of bringing this subject to light.   1984 brings the importance of paying attention to what politicians are saying and doing to light.

It is scary, it is engaging, it is important.  It tells truths about how those in power use words to deceive people that are just as relevant today as when they were written.   The power technology brings to keep tabs on people is making the warning of this book ever MORE relevant than when it was written.

If it's not already part of the school curriculum, read this book with your child and talk about it's relevance.

Reader reviewed by OIKZ

I was thrilled to read something that was not within the frame of my preference. It was supposed to be enlightening and insightful in terms of society, reality, governemental policies, justice and other motifs that were implemented in the storyline of the novel, but as the novel progressed and conveyed the adversity and hardship of the two major characters, it eventually became really morbid and depressing. George Orwell is supposedly one of the most highly respected and acclaimed novelists of his time, but I would have to disagree on those terms. He is indeed one of the really 'gifted' writers in regards to attaining the subject of dystopia and controlled society. Anyway, it was an awesome read, but towards the ending of the story, it was difficult... you know what i mean.  

Reader reviewed by mearley

1984 is an excellent book about a dystopian society. History is rewritten to suit the government; words are altered; people are constantly monitored by "big brother." When it was first published, it was a warning of what might possibly happen in the future. Today, it's an all too real possibility. Many current references are made to this book, including the current reality tv show "Big Brother."

Reader reviewed by Denisa

Geroge Orwell's 1984 is the definition of a true classic. I had to read it for grade 12 English and was very hectic about reading it because it's not the type of book I usually like. After reading the first chapter I was hooked. The ending is very surprising. The book teaches so much about so many things. Trust, government, family. George Orwell truly managed to shock me with this one.

Reader reviewed by Matt Hill

This is a stunning view of what George Orwell thought the world would be like in 1984. 1984 has come and gone, but who cannot imagine that someday, all of these things told in the book, such as the Government's always present telescreens, will not come to be? Find out as the Government tries to remove the rebelliosness out of the mind of one of their subjects, who spends his whole day erasing the past, and rewriting it to suit the government's deeds. The government has ALWAYS been at war with Oceania, right? Even though they just changed it a few days ago to seem like it. This futuristic tale is a fascinating read, and a chilling reminder of what may still be to come!

Reader reviewed by April

I actually thought this book was really interesting. I don't mean that in a bad way either. I just mean that I thought that books that have anything to do with government issues or politics would be a bit dull and not worth reading. Well, let me just say that I was completely wrong. I had to read it for my Global Studies class and I wasn't complaining. I definitely recommend everybody to read it.

Reader reviewed by Chels

If your are looking for a thought provoking and analitical book here is one of the best. A classic and most-read for any literature fan. a book full of corrupt government and people striving to be different and make a difference.

Delve into the world of Big brother, where nothing is sacred not even your on thoughts!

Down with Big Brother!

Reader reviewed by Chrys

this book was creepy to me. i didnt like the idea of people watching my every move but then i started to think about how most of the government was actually like that in the real world. not to the extreme point but still. the idea behind the book was genius and brilliant, but just...creepy.