Product Reviews1984 by George Orwell (1950, Hardback)

The Book of the State

This book is a spine-chillingly accurate depiction of what living in a totalitarian state where everything you do is watched. Free thought is almost nonexistent as language has been progressively simplified down to only the most basic and uneducated terms so that people no longer have the words to exchange ideas. Relics of the once free past still exist but none survive who remember what they were for or even are, the government falsifies wars and transgressions done by enemies who were allies only a few years before, yet to remember even that is blasphemy against the state. Human nature itself is crushed down to but a few tiny fragments of desires, as no one is encouraged to love or build a family except to either indulge in momentary pleasure or to produce more workers for the government. Everything is suffocating, and we follow the main character on an uphill battle to fulfill a need for some some speck of freedom from ultimate oppression. It is a depiction of where our very world seems headed today, and it is terrifying. This book should be required reading for everyone living in a free society, as a warning. Read full review...

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Cover can be different

Was wanting a 1984 with a cool cover to use for a book exchange. I didn't read all of the description which is my fault but the book that came had a different cover that was underwhelming compared to the picture. That was disappointing but again my fault. Otherwise it is a great read, nicely packaged, as described Read full review...

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Awesom book if you love true freedom!! For both Democrats and Republicans

Well the 1984 book is compelling. It makes you wonder was there some master plan in place 40-60 years ago. George Orwell almost predicts the future in his book and you learn to realize that freedom is very fragile. Highly recommend!!Read full review...

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Good book, but the characters and plot could have been better.

1984 was a good book. I had recently finished reading Atlas Shrugged, and with Ayn Rand's vernacular still lingering in my head, it was a little bit harder to adjust to Orwell's style. It was a very easy book to read, as it has only a few pages, and the words aren't very difficult for any level reader.

I think that the story could have been progressed much more than it was. I never developed a passion for any of the characters, so when things happened in the book, I really didn't feel emotion for the characters involved. Orwell setup such an amazing framework for a truly inspirational and awe-inspiring novel during the first two hundred or so ages, but from then on, the book went downhill, as plot twists didn't have a strong influence on me emotionally, as aforementioned.

One thing I did like about 1984 was the ending. It differs greatly from that of many contemporary works, as it tends to be slightly expected, yet largely unexpected. The feeling it gives the reader in the last 4 words is very strong, and I believe that the final sentence, and the emotion surrounding it, was Orwell's true intent in his writing this novel. Although I loved it, it could have been enunciated much more, to make the reader really love the characters and feel as the character feels.

But I gave it a 4/5, because of the ideas that Orwell put into his work. This I believe is always the most important facet of any literature. He speaks to his audience on his beliefs of the potential future, and how not everything ends so happily every time. Sometimes the darker forces prevail with no hope for others. Thats where the darkness that he intertwined into his novel plays a pivotal part in my opinion of his work.Read full review...

Great read!

I see so many political references to today's world with George Orwell's 1984. I read the book years ago, but because of today's political climate, I wanted to re-read it. The book is great, and I see why so many comparisons are made.Read full review...

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Relevant Novel

Now that we are living in a time of "newspeak" and "doublethink", this book written more than 65 years ago is more relevant and chilling than ever. George Orwell had an amazing look into the future and a compelling way to share it.Read full review...

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Haunting

As we live our lives, we forget that our sense of self is losing a fight of wills against those that seek to control us. This novel, which rightly belongs in the classic literature, reminds us of this basic fact if we should care to read it as such. The story is of a man living in a world where people are blinded by brainwashed hatred against the wrong people and, though it’s wrong at its core, the main character has resigned himself to this controlling fate. It’s a story that most of us can see ourselves living, though it may seem like “just a book” to some. I recommend reading this - if you want to truly be terrified and warned, please read this book.Read full review...

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1984

Although Orwell missed the year of Big Brother, it seems to me that Big Brother takes the form of Iphones or some other electronic device that is controlling our youth.

I encourage limited use of these phones up to age 18.Read full review...

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Maybe 1984 became 2021

Book was in excellent condition and it is the kind of book that should be used in all high school history classes. It was written years ago but is very on target today.

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I read it in High School. I'm reading it again.

The book 1984 is a classic. Unfortunately, we're seeing much of George Orwell's "Big Brother" happening now. The book is an easy read. I read it in High School. I'm reading it again. Book arrived in very good condition. Doesn't look like it was read more than once.Read full review...

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