For Book Experts - "1984"

Recently I've received a recommendation to read this book made by George Orwell. I'd like to ask your opinion on it, through your vote casting. And if you recommend it, is there any book with similar content you would also recommend?

It's a classic, absolutely essential reading that you will never ever forget!

Yes you should read it.

Coincidentally, I've just started Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - often mentioned along with 1984.

Edited by BaldJean - December 05 2020 at 10:50

I first read 1984 when i was 14, and I absolutely loved it. It's quite short and I've read it quite a few times since (though not for many years). I did an essay in school particularly on the 1984 party slogans "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

It's absolutely essential reading, I think, partially because it gets referenced so much. A faux reference I'd like make is to the companion film to Debbie Does Dallas called Do It To Julia. ;)

The book is very much a part of me. A good friend of my parents knew Eric Arthur Blair (George Orwell) and wrote biographies on him. My parents knew so many interesting people, unlike me (forum company excepted).

If you like it and haven't seen Brazil, I really suggest watching that film (as well as A Clockwork Orange even if that is different, it might appeal).

I also love Orwell's Burmese Days.

Some books I would recommend after 1984 are:

Huxley's Brave New World (though I prefer his Utopia)
Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451
Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go (a quite modern and brilliant novel)
William Golding's Lord of the Flies
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid’s Tale (my favourite of hers is Oryx and Crake)

And lots of Kurt Vonnegut and Philip K. Dick.

Logan wrote: I first read 1984 when i was 14, and I absolutely loved it. It's quite short and I've read it quite a few times since (though not for many years). I did an essay in school particularly on the 1984 party slogans "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." It's absolutely essential reading, I think, partially because it gets referenced so much. A faux reference I'd like make is to the companion film to Debbie Does Dallas called Do It To Julia. ;) The book is very much a part of me. A good friend of my parents knew Eric Arthur Blair (George Orwell) and wrote biographies on him. My parents knew so many interesting people, unlike me (forum company excepted). If you like it and haven't seen Brazil, I really suggest watching that film (as well as A Clockwork Orange even if that is different, it might appeal). I also love Orwell's Burmese Days. Some books I would recommend after 1984 are: Huxley's Brave New World (though I prefer his Utopia) Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go (a quite modern and brilliant novel) William Golding's Lord of the Flies Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid’s Tale (my favourite of hers is Oryx and Crake) And lots of Kurt Vonnegut and Philip K. Dick.

Heart of the Matter wrote: More dystopias (it's never enough!): J.G. Ballard (short stories): The Watch-Towers                              Cronopolis        H.G. Wells: The Time Machine Enjoy!

I enjoyed Ballards's High Rise.

Quite a good film too.

Logan wrote: ^ High Rise is a good fbook, and I loved the film. The movie Snowpiercer has a somewhat similar sort of class struggle, and the Doctor Who episodes de Paradise Towers seemed very High Rise inspired. Ooh, it’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. As for Ronstein’s choices, I love Moorcock, although I may get some queer looks if I proclaim that in public.

Farenheit 451 is an important book to me; Bradbury's style doesnt appeal to everyone but i think it is an apt reflection on todays media obsessions and addictions and willingness to give up and vilify culture for easy entertainment and a comfortable but numb, unthinking life.