1984, by George Orwell

Is there a more gloomy, sinister, utterly bleak piece of literature out on the market?

Winston Smith, the protagonist of this dystopian classic, lives under a cloud of disillusion and restriction, enforced by the totalitarian leadership of Big Brother. He ironically works for the government who oppress him, re-writing the history books, literally. His existence unexpectedly revives itself with the help of the much younger Julia. With the government always watching, how long can Winston remain in such a state?

The message contained within the book, the reason Orwell wrote this book, is so palpably poignant. You, well I, lived vicariously through Winston in a totalitarian society. All is conveyed through him. He is Orwell’s object, just as he is Big Brother’s, if you will.

The potential, I found, for visualisation went far beyond any book I have ever read. Whether it was purely because I had recently watched V for Vendetta, or whether Orwell applied a heavy emphasis on description to aid him in his quest for darkness, I’d say the latter is more probable. I, too thought that his selection of words worked successfully in accordance to the picture that was being, no, that was painted. The style wasn’t eloquent so much as grating, but hey a good author can sometimes sacrifice style for function. After all, its message is everything.

I loved the book for all its blackness, and a lesser person would’ve perceived it as oppressive as Big Brother itself. All I can say is this, I hope I never really live under a totalitarian government, metaphorically of course.

By Nick Bugeja

Thanks Nick. Want a second opinion? (or over 3,000 opinions!)

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