1984

· Sold by HarperCollins
4.6
3.13K reviews
Ebook
304
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick

With extraordinary relevance and renewed popularity, George Orwell’s 1984 takes on new life in this edition.

“Orwell saw, to his credit, that the act of falsifying reality is only secondarily a way of changing perceptions. It is, above all, a way of asserting power.”—The New Yorker
 
In 1984, London is a grim city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.

Lionel Trilling said of Orwell’s masterpiece, “1984 is a profound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating book. It is a fantasy of the political future, and like any such fantasy, serves its author as a magnifying device for an examination of the present.” Though the year 1984 now exists in the past, Orwell’s novel remains an urgent call for the individual willing to speak truth to power.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
3.13K reviews
Robert Tremblay
May 17, 2023
Among the greatest sci fi novels ever written, prophetic. I would never read this book again as it is chronically misused as a weapon by political extremists trying to spread fear of the left wing. Saying the title of this book in a debate has become a political dog whistle in the west for the political reactionaries. Which defeats the purpose originally intended by orwell. This book, which is high art, has become an empty slogan used by the antisemites to promote fear and hatred. This novel has a lot of heavy historical and political baggage, buyer beware. Not something to read in public, in other words.
Did you find this helpful?
A Google user
September 2, 2016
The book, published in 1949, is timely and relevant in 2016! From the notion of centralized socialist governments with limited individual rights i.e. Ingsoc. The removal of words and banning of phrases such as the liberal left is trying to do now. And if not succeeding wholly in their endeavor at a very minimum getting you fired from you job if you make a statement that is deemed "offensive." How dare a person be on the "wrong side of history" as the liberals pronounce. This will all be tidied up with the various ministries that correct less than "favorable" parts of history. The PC police and the left in general are essentially the "thought police." As the central systems at odds with one another are the abolished capitalism and the new socialist system; that was created during the revolution (1920s) or there about. I would challenge those who still have objective brains to actually read 1984. Not just say something is "Orwellian." Ironically, many people who choose to use the word "Orwellian" obviously have not read 1984; either that or they are just hypocrites. Reading strategy 50-75 pages a day. Highlight parts of the text that have overwhelming similarities to present day circumstances. i.e. removing 2nd Amendment, alternative history, centralized socialist gov't, offensive speech etc... You should be able to get through the entire text in a week if not sooner.
233 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
A Google user
April 26, 2012
1984 by George Orwell shows the dangers of an omnipotent government. The novel tells of Winston Smith's day to day life and rebellious acts. Winston is not only relatable, but real. Winston’s love for Julia and his hate for the party are almost tangible. I didn’t enjoy the beginning of the book as I found that it was slightly dry and drug out. The book started off slow, but as it continued on I couldn’t find myself able to put it down. When Winston was in the Ministry of Love I could not bring myself to quit reading. My only criticism is the slow start and the disappointing ending. I would have like to have seen this book end on a more satisfying note. Otherwise, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Did you find this helpful?

About the author

George Orwell (1903–1950), the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair, was an English novelist, essayist, and critic. He was born in India and educated at Eton. After service with the Indian Imperial Police in Burma, he returned to Europe to earn his living by writing. An author and journalist, Orwell was one of the most prominent and influential figures in twentieth-century literature. His unique political allegory Animal Farm was published in 1945, and it was this novel, together with the dystopia of 1984 (1949), which brought him worldwide fame.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.