1984

[paulpablo]

I read the book several times. Starting out when I was still a child. But it never reminded me of religion. If anything it reminds me of the past 16 years with us rapidly approaching what 1984 predicted - for lack of a better word.

Next to no privacy. Virtually every space of life is invaded, either by letting in the invaders voluntarily via social media and chat apps or by the authorities monitoring our communications on a large scale level. We haven't got the governments to make full use of the tools available as of yet. But fasten your seat belts if that ever is to happen. And that possibility is not as outworldly as it may seem. We even have our degenerative Newspeak, especially used by kids on their smartphones and chats.

There's one specific part I think if you re read it now that it would be unavoidable to think about religion while reading.

One of the higher ups in big brother is talking about how reality just exists in the mind of men, there were no dinosaurs or extinct animals before men, before men on earth there was nothing.

[TheRealJoeFish]

I liked it, I thought 1984 was fine, but I also thought it was boring. Like, it took forever to express themes that Bradbury and Koestler and Huxley and Kafka got across much more quickly (to be fair, it was probably the most detailed treatment of those themes I had ever encountered). I know I'm in the significant minority here. Just didn't do it for me to the level I had hoped/expected.

[CapnAwesome]

The mere possibility of that fucking moron in the white house should scare the shit out of any rational human.

I'd say I'm fairly fascinated with Trump and the bizarre circumstances that have led him to being a nominee, a few percentage points away from being president and the most powerful man in the world. Still, I probably think about him 2% as much as you do.

[vorlon13]

Trivia:

1984 was filmed in the same abandoned industrial area later converted to S. Vietnam by Kubrick in Full Metal Jacket


The filming process in 1984 that reduced the color saturation to almost B/W was an interesting way of further portraying the drabness and hopelessness of Oceania.

And the dent in the bottom of Winston's food pan was a nice touch too, literally everything in that world was decayed, despoilt and decrepit, and the film makers went that extra length to put it on the screen

[Bunburryist]

You're absolutely right.  This is an amazing book.  Should be on every "must read" list . . . especially for people who have no problem with all the electronic tracking built into computer/phone/gps technology, those think the idea of implanting electronic computer gizmos into our brains is "a good idea.," etc.  It's not exactly what the books about, but I can certainly see how the two themes might connect.

As a side comment - for anyone out there who doesn't have time to read and wishes they did - try listening to some version of recorded books - cd, playaway, etc.  I have listened to about 500 times as many books in the past years than I could ever have read.  Great while driving, working around the house, working on artistic projects, etc.  Even if you don't think you'd like it - give it a try.  My wife didn't think she'd like it, and she loves it.

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Probably not for all tastes, but the film version with Richard Burton is one of my top picks.

I'm going to guess, Vorlon, that you've already seen the film version of Kafka's The Trial, but if not, I think you'll love it.  In order to get you hooked before you even see it, check out the introduction . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfkOEcevRUQ

[Thumpalumpacus]

The theme Orwell goes after is one near and dear to me -- the individual against the State.

He was also quite accurate, so far as my own country is concerned, about the maintenance of continual war being a tool of domestic control.

As a writer, I don't care much for his style, but that's a matter of personal taste.

[Brian37]

The theme Orwell goes after is one near and dear to me -- the individual against the State.

He was also quite accurate, so far as my own country is concerned, about the maintenance of continual war being a tool of domestic control.

As a writer, I don't care much for his style, but that's a matter of personal taste.

No no no no, not against the state, against monopolies of power, be vigilant not paranoid. Orwell was a wealthy author himself and could not have done so under the totalitarian state he warned about in his books. I do think if he were alive today he'd be very against the GOP and especially Trump's demagoguery.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Yes, it was a warning against overweening government. Big Brother is the state.

You're right that all power monopolies are dangerous, but Orwell was addressing one type specifically.