anyone read 1984?

**miss_thrifty** · 12-10-2007, 08:00 PM

So far i cant seem to get into and Im only in chapter 2. I guess even though I like sci- fi this is way to out for me right now.

**KFinTX** · 12-10-2007, 10:16 PM

I've read "1984" twice. IMO, Orwell was 20 years too early.

Follow it up with "Brave New World" as a chaser, & you'll see just how closely Orwell & Huxley were able to picture modern times. What really gets me is how Huxley's society values things that break or fall apart easily, so that you can go out, spend more money & get bright, shiny, newer things. Sound familiar? I could go on with more political parallels, but then we'd have to move this discussion over to Debates.

toile · 12-10-2007, 10:16 PM

Is that the book that talks about a "paperless money society"?
If so, I never quite got over that fear.
Especially when debit cards came out LOL.
It left me with a fear of becoming a number as silly as that sounds.
But I read it forever ago.

Or do I have Ayn Rand on the brain? LOL

**mommymath** · 12-11-2007, 08:28 AM

I loved it, though I think I liked "Brave New World" better.

**baronmom** · 12-11-2007, 08:29 AM

I had to read it in high school. Thought it was pretty easy reading. I enjoyed the book.

**JustJoy** · 12-11-2007, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by baronmom

I had to read it in high school. Thought it was pretty easy reading. I enjoyed the book.

Same here!

**KFinTX** · 12-11-2007, 10:03 AM

Hey Miss Thrifty, you might want to try "Animal Farm" first if "1984" is giving you troubles. It's along the same lines & about the same length as "1984."

**acidcookie** · 12-11-2007, 11:49 AM

I remember starting it and never finishing it ...

**monkeywrangler71** · 12-11-2007, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by miss_thrifty

So far i cant seem to get into and Im only in chapter 2.

I think I actually started reading it in 1984, and you're already farther than me.

**Neeley** · 12-11-2007, 12:57 PM

It was required reading for us in 9th grade literature. I enjoyed it - but then again I had the threat of not passing literature if I did not.

I had DD read it when she was 10 and she loved it.

**daisymay1960** · 12-11-2007, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by mommymath

I loved it, though I think I liked "Brave New World" better.

I agree , Brave New World is a much better book

and dont forget Animal Farm

**miss_thrifty** · 12-11-2007, 04:54 PM

i have animal farm ordered at the libary but brave new world sounds good too.hmmmm thanks everyone

**kittykatstrong** · 12-11-2007, 10:46 PM

I liked 1984. Animal Farm I did not get into but had to read it for school.

**Libby** · 12-12-2007, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I think I actually started reading it in 1984, and you're already farther than me.

HAHAHAHAHA!

I had to read it in high school and I admit, this style of writing just isnt for me and Im not one to be forced to read anything nowdays but it was a good book. I liked it. Havent read anything else by him though.

Keep plugging away - it WILL get better once the story gets going.

**warramra** · 12-12-2007, 08:22 AM

I decided to re-read 1984 this summer. It took several chapters to get into the flow, but when it got to the parts describing how Big Brother kept the 'prols' (non-government, working class) under control I was captivated in way I had not been in High School. Dissemination of information, control of all media - the government writes the books and produces the TV/movies. The purposely kept them as 'junky' as possible so to make sure that the prols never thought about anything important. Supplies and goods were kept at artificial measures - enough that no one would 'rebel' but at low enough levels that the prols had to concentrate only on working to survive. Education was 'provided', but only a certain level and so that no one would learn to question. If a child showed some intelligence or questioning nature they and the family would disappear. The country was at a constant state of war (the enemy was constantly changing) and the world had been split into 5? different countries. Peace was considered dangerous because in the long run a war would keep the minds of the people off their daily lives and explain why they might not be able to buy, say shoes.
George Orwell's writing was very much into describing how power corrupts ideals. Of course, he hated the idea of Socialism and believed that it gave even greater room for corruption at the top. But, even in a 'capitalistic, democratic' society there are hints that the some of the same things could happen.

Another author of the same period that I enjoy is Ayn Rand, Anthem, Atlas Shrugged and We The Living.