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Original poster

1984. It's really good.

103 replies

Oricolt · 21/01/2026 07:34

I'd never read it and picked it up at a charity store. Started it because I thought it was one of those books I 'ought' to read - if only to be able to nod meaningfully when people make current geopolitical comparisons. But - actually - it's really good. Not a hard read at all. Am enjoying it.

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 23/01/2026 14:51

My ds has chosen it for his prose piece for his LAMDA exam. He’s 17 and even he was able to immediately see the parallels with what is happening in the world now, I’ve been enjoying discussing it with him. I studied it for O level in the 80s!

HopSpringsEternal · 23/01/2026 14:24

Trump's "Board of Peace" would have beautifully have fitted into nineteen eighty four. So Orwellian.
Its amazing how many phrases we use from the book (room 101, double think, thought police etc).
I read it on a plane to poland nineteen eighty five and my mum made me leave it on the plane. I was only 11 and didn't understand the danger it could have put us in.

rockandscroll · 23/01/2026 14:15

boombangabong · 23/01/2026 13:43

I’m curious as to why, what was it about the book that people didn’t enjoy?

I know everyone has different tastes, but I would expect many people to enjoy / appreciate/ get something out of at least some of 1984, even if they didn’t enjoy it as a whole experience.

Show quote history

I found it absolutely fascinating, and I felt like we are living so much of it already, so much of what he wrote is reflected now (Truth Social, AI, fake news) [I had asked chatgpt the other day about the Venezuela issue and it literally told me it hadn't happened, and when I said I just saw Maduro captured on the BBC, it said I was mistaken!] I did feel like the interior lives of the female characters was not fully embodied though. Just downloaded Julia fingers crossed for that one

Runnersandtoms · 23/01/2026 13:44

For any kindle users, it's available for 49p.

boombangabong · 23/01/2026 13:43

RampantIvy · 23/01/2026 13:09

Crikey! I'm amazed it is a favourite book. I have read it twice, and enjoyed less the second time around. I found parts of it a hard read from a content point of view.

My book group did it a couple of years ago and it got the thumbs down from most members.

I’m curious as to why, what was it about the book that people didn’t enjoy?

I know everyone has different tastes, but I would expect many people to enjoy / appreciate/ get something out of at least some of 1984, even if they didn’t enjoy it as a whole experience.

boombangabong · 23/01/2026 13:40

I need to re-read it as I haven’t read it for many years. I loved it way back when. As someone else suggested, you shoukd read Brave New World, too. Another phenomenal book. Julia has been on my bookshelf for ages, haven’t read it yet.

Right now, though, it is all rather worryingly close to reality.

RampantIvy · 23/01/2026 13:37

Shedmistress · 23/01/2026 13:35

Thumbs down from a book group. Oh my days.

Why?
We don't all like the same thing.

Shedmistress · 23/01/2026 13:35

Thumbs down from a book group. Oh my days.

rockandscroll · 23/01/2026 13:35

Robertplantgoddess · 21/01/2026 11:00

Absolutely recommend Julia by Sandra Newham. It's brilliant and crosses over so well with 1984 but from Julia's view.

ooh good to know. I did enjoy 1984, but felt Julia was a bit lacking in depth

AutumnAllTheWay · 23/01/2026 13:33

Its is a great but harrowing read.

I felt like I was cracking up reading the last third. I became at one with Winston!

Superb book.

thornbury · 23/01/2026 13:24

The dramatisation on Audible is excellent, although somewhat abridged.

Obsessivepenguin · 23/01/2026 13:23

Dappy777 · 23/01/2026 13:02

It’s the woke Left who need to re-read it. They’re the ones restricting free speech, bullying and intimidating the professors, accusing people of ‘thought crimes’, banning speakers from university campuses, ‘de-colonising’ the libraries, re-writing the history books, demanding classic novels be edited or pulled from the shelves, etc. No one is more intolerant, destructive or hate-filled than them.

Orwell is the only writer whose complete works I have read. If he could come back from the dead, he would sympathize with Reform voters. I am sure of it. I doubt he’d vote Reform, but I know he would sympathize with their supporters.

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I don't think you've understood at all.

Extremes at each end tend to look very similar. Fascists and the leaders of communist regimes look a bit like two legged pigs and men.

RampantIvy · 23/01/2026 13:09

Crikey! I'm amazed it is a favourite book. I have read it twice, and enjoyed less the second time around. I found parts of it a hard read from a content point of view.

My book group did it a couple of years ago and it got the thumbs down from most members.

Clearinguptheclutter · 23/01/2026 13:03

everyone should read it. So thought provoking and not a tough read

Dappy777 · 23/01/2026 13:02

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 22/01/2026 20:02

It worries me that some countries' leaders (and potential leaders) today seem to think it's a manual to follow rather than a warning...

And yes - great book. First read it at school and probably re-read it 5 or 6 times since

Edited

It’s the woke Left who need to re-read it. They’re the ones restricting free speech, bullying and intimidating the professors, accusing people of ‘thought crimes’, banning speakers from university campuses, ‘de-colonising’ the libraries, re-writing the history books, demanding classic novels be edited or pulled from the shelves, etc. No one is more intolerant, destructive or hate-filled than them.

Orwell is the only writer whose complete works I have read. If he could come back from the dead, he would sympathize with Reform voters. I am sure of it. I doubt he’d vote Reform, but I know he would sympathize with their supporters.

ilovepixie · 22/01/2026 20:10

It’s one of my favourite books. I also love Animal
Farm, The Clergyman’s Daughter and Keep
the aspidistra flying.

Moirasgirls · 22/01/2026 20:04

Ah, it's one of my favourites and I've loved returning to it a few times over the years. I'm almost envious that you're discovering it for the first time, I wish I could do that again!

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 22/01/2026 20:02

It worries me that some countries' leaders (and potential leaders) today seem to think it's a manual to follow rather than a warning...

And yes - great book. First read it at school and probably re-read it 5 or 6 times since

Original poster
Oricolt · 22/01/2026 19:59

Neolara · 21/01/2026 11:08

Op - where have you got to in the book? You may change your mind.

I read it recently and I found it completely horrific. First third was enjoyable. Second third, interesting. Last third was horrendous. Was very sorry I'd started it.

Oh heck. I haven't picked it up for a few days. Still in the middle. Is it about to get harrowing?? Don't tell me! I'll keep going.

OP posts:
Knowsley · 21/01/2026 12:42

Started it because I thought it was one of those books I 'ought' to read
It is 'one of those books you 'ought' to read'.

I read it first in 1983. Smile

Neolara · 21/01/2026 11:08

Op - where have you got to in the book? You may change your mind.

I read it recently and I found it completely horrific. First third was enjoyable. Second third, interesting. Last third was horrendous. Was very sorry I'd started it.

NotWavingButReading · 21/01/2026 11:04

I love George Orwell. I read all his books as a teenager.
@fluffiphlox I have his essays on my TBR.

TheAmusedQuail · 21/01/2026 11:03

I LOVE 1984. And if you like it, next you should read Brave New World. A different kind of dystopian.

Alpacajigsaw · 21/01/2026 11:01

It is amazing, but also unnerving in this current world!

I am also currently reading Julia.

Robertplantgoddess · 21/01/2026 11:00

Absolutely recommend Julia by Sandra Newham. It's brilliant and crosses over so well with 1984 but from Julia's view.