1984, written sometime in the 50's as far as i know., 23. Dezember 2007

Takes Soviet Style goverment and brings out its darkest future. (Big Brother) Orwell himself a socialist, offers intelligent and passionate reflections of his anxieties. Read this novel before grabbing a 'why the USSR broke' book written by some self rightous Political Science phd. who unwittingly butchers Orwells 'big brother' to fit his narrow understanding. Not that there aren't good books on Soviet and Russian History, which you may want to look for after reading 1984. I'd also recommend reading--ANIMAL FARM--if you haven't yet!

       1984, 12. Juni 2007

As 1984 is known as one of the best distopian novels I had high expectations when reading it. After finishing the book I can say they were more than fulfilled. Orwell draws a very detailed picture of a totalitarian regime ruling its people through propaganda and punishment. The fascinating (and scary) thing is the fact that it is realistic. Unlike other distopias I read, 1984 creates the fear that these things could happen to us, too. Especially because of this it works as it should as a warning.
Some people say that there is a too long and boring part in 1984 but for me the part with Goldsteins book was very interesting. In my opinion more interesting than Winstons love affair, which has not much to do with the declaration of the book.
Read this book and you will see our world in a different way.

       The Book might age - the story is ever up-to-date, 10. Juni 2007

Protagonist Winston Smith is living in Oceania - one of three superstates constantly at war with each other. Oceania is governed by "The Party", claiming to be socialistic, but being in truth a totalitarian system. In the Ministry of Truth Winston works rewriting history, so that the Party is always and has always been right. Nevertheless he is working for the government, he starts to doubt it and that way starts his own little rebellion against the Party and he becomes a so-called Thoughtcriminal.
To find out if he succeeds, what partners he finds and what dangers await him, you will read this great book yourself, for I won't tell you any further secrets.

Orwell's book got five stars in my ranking, not only because it is written in a most skilful way, but also because of the precise description of Oceania's totalitarian government and it's cruel and brutal control over people. Few books have a topic like this, that gets even more up-to-date, while the paper on which it is written ages.

Furthermore I have noticed, that some people find "Goldstein's Book" quite boring. Even so it is quite difficult to read, it summarizes the whole system of the party and is a shorter version of the warning 1984 should carry and is therefore in my point of view one of the most important passages of the book.
What ever you might think about this, I still hope you will enjoy this masterpiece of a book the same way I have enjoyed reading it.

      George Orwell - Master of disaster!, 9. Juni 2007

The heading might sound negativ, but the book was quite the opposite. Orwell's description of a totalitarian system in perfection is well done and shows how our future might look like.
The main character Winston Smith is caught in a world with telescreens ("Big Brother is watching you!") and a thoughtpolice, which will arrest you if you commit "Thoughtcrime". During the book he tries to find allies, which could help him to bring down the gouvernment. This "gouvernment" simply consists of one party, namely "The Party" and controls whole Oceania, the country where the story takes place.
There is a love story, too, but it is not a boring one, because in Oceanina it is forbidden to have a love affair, except for making new party members.

The reason why the book gets only 4 stars is, that there is a part in it, where Winston reads an ohter book about the "brotherhood", which is an organisation, which exists in the underground. This part is very long, but quite boring and even "Orwell-Experts" argue, why he wrote this part.

In the end you have accredit, that this book is one the best one's in world literature, which everyone shoud have read.

       A piece of world literature, 30. Mai 2007

In his book 1984 George Orwell shows very detailed that out society his heading to a system of total observation of its citizens. This is done by precise descriptions of the world the protagonist Winston is living in while trying to rebel against it.
This novel gives a warning about what could happen if we would use all possibilities given to us by the latest cognitions about the structure and function of human mind and by modern security- and observation systems.
Thus the book will be always topical and worth reading though there are some boring parts in it, like the book in the book.