1984 but for teens

[Singleandproud]

13 year old DD is keen to read 1984 but I don't think it's appropriate largely because of the sexual content.

She has ASD and will only read books that make her think, she enjoys satire and likes to read Private Eye and watch Mock the week and Have I got News for You etc. She really enjoyed Animal Farm and didn't mind Lord of the Flies but found it male centric which ofcourse it is but didn't like Hunger Games and the Divergent series because they focused on the romantic relationships of the characters.

Does anyone know of any books that are like 1984 but are appropriate for younger teens? Or any other recommendations for books she might like.

By that age I would just get what I liked out of the library or with pocket money from second hand store! But when she asks is the stand suitable I'm thinking erm no! Particularly thinking of the anal rape with the gun in the extended version 😱 and numerous other bits are quite grim.
However I do think 1984 is ok!

We read 1984 in school...can't be that bad.

You will read a book very differently to how your child reads it

Brother in the Land. I re-read this recently, and I was impressed by how well it has aged.

Also love The Giver.

I would let her read 1984. My DD loved Brave New World when she was a little older too.

That’s very true. I first read to kill a mockingbird when I was doing my GCSEs, I have read to book many times in the 20 years since and read it differently every time

@trampoline123 yes, I can see now it's a GCSE text, I thought it was A level like Handmaid's Tale. I've seen the film more recently than I read the book and couldn't remember how it was written in the book.

Common sense media had posts saying 13 was far too young and the sex was explicit and it wasn't suitable for under 16s and others that said it was fine.

As a single parent it's useful to sense check decisions like this with no one else to bounce thoughts off of at home.

Omg 😵‍💫 you are my twin I loved these books

As did any self respecting teen back then 😂

She should absolutely be allowed to read it at 13. The only book I've ever said no to at 13 was 50 Shades of Grey and I said ds could read it and then we would discuss it chapter by chapter. Funnily enough he went right off the idea 😂

@Singleandproud I do think common sense media can be a bit cautious sometimes! I usually lop a few years off!

Sex in books isn’t the same as on screen. It’s probably the best way of introducing it tbh. Also if you’ve not been “personally involved” (ahem) it doesn’t have quite the same impact. My 14 yr old was reading Animal Farm at school and the teacher recommended also reading 1984 in his own time (he didn’t, but the teacher suggested it).

If you’re still uncertain, pick one up in a bookshop and flick through to the relevant bit and see how it seems then. Films always spice things way up.

We did 1984 in Y8 so aged 12/13, and I'd read it the year before anyway. The sex isn't especially graphic and comprises a very small part of the novel (even the boys in my class didn't find it worth joking over, which is saying something).

Sex in books is very different to sex on TV/film, anyway. I'd let her read it.

Uurrjb I think you might be the twin of my DC not me!

I said ds could read it and then we would discuss it chapter by chapter. Funnily enough he went right off the idea

Brilliant 😂

Yes, it's pure genius 😁

1984 is an excellent book for teens to read especially at the moment. Extremely relevant.

I read it at that age in the '80s, can't even remember the sex scene, still think it is one of the best books I ever read. I'd be glad one of my children wanted to read it.

This is how the parts dealing with sex tend to read:
https://www.george-orwell.org/1984/9.html
https://www.george-orwell.org/1984/5.html

DS (14, 15 later this year) is currently reading 1984. He isn’t bothered by the sex, but he thinks it’s “inappropriate” ( that’s the word he used) that Winston is 13 years older than Julia. I suppose he views 39 as geriatric. 🤣

I read 1984 as an autistic 13 or 14 year old. I was definitely not impacted by any sex scenes. I didn’t even remember it had one.

this was a formative book for me at that age. I wouldn’t stop a teen from reading it.

Day of the Triffids is a bit dated but might also be of interest.

13 I let met my child read what they want, I think control can only go so far when it comes to books

Yes I am sure people can throw in 'yeah but what about this book' but 1984 is not one I would be controlling over

I read it at 11. I think that was a bit young but hey I don't think it harmed me.

Some of Tom Sharpes books might appeal if she like satire, but if you have not read them I would sugggest you read them first. The two set in South Africa under apartheid might appeal.

Yes, it is extremely relevant.

Yes it led to some fascinating conversations with DS while he read it.

i think it’s an age where if young people want to read thought provoking books it should be encouraged. It’s a way of encouraging deeper thinking about big issues.

I would have thought some of the stuff on Mock the Week and HIGNFY is more inappropriate than 1984.

definitely let her read it. DD did it for GCSE and hated it 😂I think having to study something in depth can often ruin a book though.