1984

Has anyone else here read this? Its one of my favorite books of all time as its a timeless and brilliant social commentary, with such a surprising ending.

Anyways if you havent read it the book can actually be found online here http://www.liferesearchuniversal.com/orwell.html#1984

I think a fairly large portion of the people here have probably read it. I've read it, and it's one of my favorite books ever, undoubtedly. The ending wasn't a happy one, but it was realistic and refreshing, in its lack of false optimism.

Originally Posted by Atheist Peace

I think a fairly large portion of the people here have probably read it. I've read it, and it's one of my favorite books ever, undoubtedly. The ending wasn't a happy one, but it was realistic and refreshing, in its lack of false optimism.

Yes i hate the dystopic novels that use deux ex machina. If they were to have a happy ending it would require completely changing everything about a book or some unrealistic ending.

I thought Animal Farm was also good, and rather enjoyable as it was short and rather to the point.

In the 80s teachers would read that to us in the class as anti-communist propoganda when I was in elementary school and jr. high.

Yeah I've read it. It's good. Certainly not terribly deep or subtle, but who wants crap like that anyway.

Oh, I don't know, its got depth, though its as subtle as a hammer in the head...
Good and gritty book exploring some of the ins-and-outs of both dystopias and the Soviet Union, its parallel; better than Animal Farm, although no less parable-like, mainly because of the sylistic differences I guess. However the degree of parallel tot he Soviet Union is too influenced by Blair's [Orwell's] feelings and not his knowledge.

I thought Animal Farm was also good, and rather enjoyable as it was short and rather to the point.

The idea of dystopia is one of my favorate literary concepts. What intrigues me is that if people believe what they are living in is utopian than can it possibly be dystopian? Is dystopia defined by us, living in the 21st century or by the standards of the day.

(Im an SCC refugee by the way, it seems that the forums are down. WOOHOO first twc post!)

Originally Posted by ModderWannabe

The idea of dystopia is one of my favorate literary concepts. What intrigues me is that if people believe what they are living in is utopian than can it possibly be dystopian? Is dystopia defined by us, living in the 21st century or by the standards of the day.

(Im an SCC refugee by the way, it seems that the forums are down. WOOHOO first twc post!)

It depends on where/how yo live. I'd say its neither. Its obviously not a utopia.

For some people, like those that live in a 3rd world country, its definately a dystopic world. Especially since some of these novels would fit equally well in the setting of modern day North Korea or even China.

1984 was a pretty decent book i thought, id love to see a film of it, just to see how a director handles that particular vision of Britain (im sure one or two exist but i dont fancy my chances of seeing them)

Also if you liked 1984 be sure to give Huxley's "Brave New World" a try, i enjoyed it just as much if not a bit more than Orwells (less obviously depressing vision of the future anyway) - if you need to write any sort of book report type thing, i'd recommend doing it on them.

D'ya know, I've never read Animal Farm. 1984's very good though.

EDIT: And ModderWannabe, I've always meant to join SCC but I keep forgetting/can't be bothered.

My brother had to read Brave New World for school a few years ago. I've always meant to start reading it, but I never did.

Didn't read '84, but I read and liked Animal Farm.

Originally Posted by Blaven

Didn't read '84, but I read and liked Animal Farm.

Same situation here. I've been wanting to read 1984, but I have never gotten around to doing so. I could click on that link and start now, but, for some odd reason, I prefer reading literature in actual books as opposed to using the web.

Originally Posted by The Seleucid Empire

Same situation here. I've been wanting to read 1984, but I have never gotten around to doing so. I could click on that link and start now, but, for some odd reason, I prefer reading literature in actual books as opposed to using the web.

I read Animal Farm after reading 1984. I found the latter to be a hundred times deeper and more entertaining, but then one was about animals.

Ive read both 1984 and Animal Farm. Ive also seen the film 1984 (The 1984 (year) version with John Hurt) which I thought was pretty good. The film in imdb is here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087803/

Read 1984 for school, and it was the best assigned book I've ever read. I then found Animal farm, loved it as well. I have the recent Animal Farm movie, it is actually pretty good. Sticks mostly to the book, too.

Of course, look at my sig.

D'ya know, I've never read Animal Farm.

If you didn't go to school in the 80s and/or are not from the US then you probably didn't even see it, lol. Everyone i know here had that read to them, and in jr. high had to read it, in commie fearing times.

I've read both Animal Farm and 1984 in high school in NZ. Highly recommended.