1984 -Oldie but Goodie

Most people know what the book ”1984” is about in broad terms. A big brother society where the totalitarian government keeps an iron grip on the brain washed masses.

This was about all I knew about 1984, when I decided that I should pick up this old sci-fi classic (sci-fi because of course 1984 was way the heck in the future when this book was written).

I came into the book with the attitude that this was a book that I “should” read as a sci-fi fan, but I honestly did not have too high hopes of it being very gripping.

Fortunately I was very positively surprised. 



1984: And you thought Blade Runner presented a bleak view of the future



While the propaganda infested society is certainly the central theme of the book, it is actually a very personal story about a single mans rebellion against the system and a tale of growing hope in a soul crushing world (A lot like “Up” really, but with more torture and Gestapo-like secret police forces).

In the world of 1984 the state of Oceania (covering Great Britain, North and South America, Australia and most of southern Africa) is controlled by the “IngSoc” party (English Socalists), who keeps constant surveillance on all party members and arrests people at the first sign of thoughts that are counter to the party line.

Information is controlled by the government completely and history and news are re-written in the ironically named “Ministry of Truth” so that it suits the governments needs.

For example, Oceania is in a constant state with one of the other two super powers of the world; Eurasia or Eastasia. Whenever Oceania switches who it is fighting, history is changed so that Oceania has always been fighting this country.

There is no truth other than what the government is dictating, even if it is obviously wrong, and anyone trying to point this out will get arrested as thought offenders (Basically a propaganda system that would make even Goebbels say, “maybe we should take it down a notch, guys?”).
 

Gathering in large depressed crowds and watching a guys face on the big screen is all the rage in 1984

The main character is Winston Smith, who works for the Ministry of Truth.

He lives a life of routine and is outwardly a model party member, but inwardly he is starting to question the order of society.

This accelerates wildly once he meets a fellow party member Julia, whom he initiates a passionate relationship with, which of course is strictly forbidden, since passionate relationships may lead to the development of inappropriate feelings and less than complete and unquestionable loyalty to the party.

The book tells a gripping story about how Winston and Julia develop their relationship in secret and even begin to hope that it is possible to rise up and overthrow the government.

I won’t ruin the story, but I will say that it is an intense ride and the writing really makes you feel and root for these characters in their struggle against seemingly impossible odds.

I strongly recommend 1984 to any sci-fi fans and hope that you will agree with me that it is double plus good (that will make sense if you read the book).

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