2018 Reading Group - April: 1984 by George Orwell - *Spoilers from 25th April*

[Chillywhippet]

Inspired by current events we have chosen the classic 1984 for April.

Please join us if you fancy reading or rereading it. We are very relaxed but will try to finish by 25th April and then discuss the book. No spoilers before then please.

The discussion can be as low key or involved as you like. It is very friendly so please chip in

[Birdbandit]

Count me in.

[Plentyoffishnets]

marking my place

[endehors]

Me too, please. Marking place

[endehors]

Haven't started this yet. I'm away at the moment and my copy is at home. Will make a start at the weekend.

[endehors]

Just discovered my copy is a Folio Society copy, not much good for reading out and about (when I get most of my reading done). I'll have to buy another copy I think. (Also bumping up the thread)

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

A good choice. I read this quite recently so just need to refresh my memory :)

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Well, "read" as in listened to the audiobook. Hopefully that counts!

[Lemonysnicketsmumscat]

Ooh, I’ve been toying with reading this!

[mmack]

My daughter had given our copy to a friend but the girl she lent it to returned it when they met up at the weekend. I must be meant to read it as lent books rarely reappear.

[mmack]

I read 50 pages or so today and I'm very impressed so far. I read it first time around in the '80s and it's amazing the way the newspeak parts seem much more relevant today than they did 30 years ago. The screen in the room that is always listening has also become more or less standard in 2018.

[endehors]

I don't think I'll be finished until after the weekend!

[Backingvocals]

Read this for the first time last year. Very prescient. Amazingly so I thought.

[Oliphantintheroom]

I don’t have a copy st the moment but it’s
One of those books that stays with you isn’t it.
Especially with all the software that’s being developed in our present day and the current affairs.

[endehors]

I agree with you both. Newspeak, government surveillance, the media etc etc Reminds me a little of the Ray Bradbury short story, the Pedestrian, too.

Are we doing a May book? I don't think anything had been decided.