David Winstone

Advantages: A great book which discusses important political questions but also has a good narrative and plot
Disadvantages: Orwell's tendency to be over concerned with class

...The novel, written after World war Two, tells the story of Winston Smith who lives in London in the year 1984 (at the time of writing obviously well in the future). However it would be wrong to see the novel as a prediction - moreover a prediction that failed to come true, rather it should be seen as a warning. Winston smith lives in a frightening futuristic world. Everyone is constantly watched as "Big Brother is watching you". Winston's job is to rewrite the past, he changes newspaper articles to the present political truth. The novel is also a love story between Winston and Julia, who he meets. The novel discusses life under a totalitarian state and what effect this has on people. You will also come across phrases that have passed into the everyday language such as room 101. It is one of the best books of the 20th century.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Intriguing, hard to put down
Disadvantages: Use of "newspeak" can confuse the text a little

...In this classic book, George Orwell tells the story of Winston Smith, and the political regime which he is fighting against, introducing along the way the concepts of Big Brother, the Thought Police and Room 101, all of which have since entered the English language in one way or another. Winston works for "The Party", the government of the day who are trying to exert more and more control over their citizens, right down to controlling their thoughts to suit their needs. Many people accept this happily as if they had known nothing else, but Winston and a few others will not. Orwell explores Winston's feelings and his silent struggle against the party, carrying on through to his eventual capture and "re-education", along the way setting exploring many parts of the human condition and the faults of any political party. This all adds up... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: unique, re-readable, political
Disadvantages: The lucid detail of Winston's torture *SCARY!!*

...that the main character, Winston, lives in is Oceania; he is under the totalitarian regime of the infamous big brother. As the book progresses we learn of Winston's distain for Big brother, his dislike for his life and his belief that life in the past was far different. He believes that big brother is changing everything about their lives, even controlling their love lives! i believe Winston drew the line when his ex wife had asked him to do their "duty to the party" i.e. to have sex!! - this was as a result of the conditioning in schools. The book become emotional when Winston believes he is being followed by a girl whom he believes is part of the "thought police" he describes at that moment how he wanted to murder her (as his own life was at risk) ; however, ironically, Julia the girl, becomes Winston's love interest and the two have an affair... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful