Maybe it’s just because I was already aware of many of the main figures of the revolution when I read it… It’s difficult for me to imagine what it’s like to read it without that context, I’m but it seemed to me like it would have just come off as a bizarre children’s book lol
I started 1984 last night. Very nice world building so far. Trying to pretend that the technology described so far is out of the ordinary and futuristic. 😅
I like to keep it the way it is. It’s more fun for me to pretend I’m in the mindset of someone in the mid 1940’s, thinking these technologies are futuristic. 😊
If you do read Animal Farm, you’re gonna want to read the wiki or something first, since the entire story is an allegory for the Soviet revolution in Russia using talking farm animals. So if you’re not familiar with that history, you’re probably going to be confused.
It’s a good book (and short) when you understand the context, but I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone the same way that I recommend 1984.
The former is looking backwards at historical events, while the latter looks forward, and describes (with disturbing accuracy) a potential authoritarian future.
I’m approaching 10% finished, including the foreword about Orwell’s life etc. I keep imagining what the film(s) will do to picture all of it in their own unique way. Will be fun to watch those later with the Mrs. 😊
“There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always— do not forget this, Winston— always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless.
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever. ”
When I was in school we read Animal Farm, but instead of 1984 they had us read Brave New World. It seemed like a more accurate commentary at the time. Just everyone blissfully unaware and high on “soma” and trivial entertainment. Bread and circuses as it were. Crazy to see what a sudden turn to 1984 we’ve taken in just a few months.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
What is that quote from? Sounds interesting.
If you’re not being facetious, then you should 100% read 1984 like… right now.
Followed up with Animal Farm, also by Orwell
Got’em! Not sure if these are good editions but we’ll see. They were like $2 each.
Animal Farm is the easier read out of the 2.
Enjoy.
Easier read, but kind of meaningless without knowing the context of the Soviet revolution since it’s just an allegory.
Worth reading, but I don’t consider it required in the same way I view 1984.
Interesting take. I must say that I read it and did not have the background knowledge. I took it as a blueprint on how to seize power.
Yes, it got deeper when my history caught up, but I wouldn’t say it’s required.
Maybe agree to disagree
Maybe it’s just because I was already aware of many of the main figures of the revolution when I read it… It’s difficult for me to imagine what it’s like to read it without that context, I’m but it seemed to me like it would have just come off as a bizarre children’s book lol
I started 1984 last night. Very nice world building so far. Trying to pretend that the technology described so far is out of the ordinary and futuristic. 😅
If you change the screens to cell phones and the newspapers for databases…
I like to keep it the way it is. It’s more fun for me to pretend I’m in the mindset of someone in the mid 1940’s, thinking these technologies are futuristic. 😊
Thanks for the tip!
If you do read Animal Farm, you’re gonna want to read the wiki or something first, since the entire story is an allegory for the Soviet revolution in Russia using talking farm animals. So if you’re not familiar with that history, you’re probably going to be confused.
It’s a good book (and short) when you understand the context, but I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone the same way that I recommend 1984.
The former is looking backwards at historical events, while the latter looks forward, and describes (with disturbing accuracy) a potential authoritarian future.
Yeah I got the history and allegory part, thank you! 🙂👍
Not at all! I’ll check it out, thanks! Been eyeing it for a long time but I’m not really a book person. But maybe it could be an exception. 😁
It’s a very important book, and every adult should be required to read it.
I’m approaching 10% finished, including the foreword about Orwell’s life etc. I keep imagining what the film(s) will do to picture all of it in their own unique way. Will be fun to watch those later with the Mrs. 😊
Also from 1984:
When I was in school we read Animal Farm, but instead of 1984 they had us read Brave New World. It seemed like a more accurate commentary at the time. Just everyone blissfully unaware and high on “soma” and trivial entertainment. Bread and circuses as it were. Crazy to see what a sudden turn to 1984 we’ve taken in just a few months.
We ended up with the worst bits of both.
Good one. Yeesh. 🥶
That last sentence in particular…that’s indeed what it feels like the foreseeable future is in the US.
1984 / Orwell