1984 By George Orwell

[emmie]

has anyone read this book and can give me the gist of what's its about - i have a friends copy and been meaning to read it, but other stuff has come in the way. I know its quite a serious book but any feedback would be most welcome.

[emmie]

it seems more about the totalitarianism of Nazi Germany, or have i got that wrong.

[emmie]

i am not sure i understood this book. perhaps if Naomi is about we can discuss it. I didn't enjoy it so much, perhaps that's the point.

[naomi24]

Emmie at 14.46. No, I don’t think you have got that wrong. It’s exactly right. The bit where, I think it was the neighbour, admiringly joked about a child reporting his family to the authorities is enough to send shivers down the spine. Extremism at either end of the political spectrum has the same chilling, unthinkable results.

[emmie]

apologies for not getting back, i know that i have two threads on this....but i didn't get the response i suppose i was looking for.
i tried to describe the book to my brother, and found myself floundering somewhat. But the book especially the torture chamber and people being extinguished struck me as the vile regime of Nazi Germany. Rewritten history, people being expunged, the party is all, and the proles can be damned...

[emmie]

i wouldn't read it again, nor see the film. I guess that all Communist regimes are like this, China, Russia, North Korea. People giving their neighbours and family up to the all seeing eye, the Big brother, if you like. Chilling that people are still doing this today.

[naomi24]

No problem, emmie. I only saw this a few minutes ago and responded then so I haven’t been waiting.

The book probably is awkward to describe to someone who has no knowledge of it and I think that’s illustrated by your impression after reading it despite efforts to familiarise you with its content.

[emmie]

it was an awkward explanation to my brother, but i think he had heard of it before, 1984 rings a bell with a lot of people i suspect.

[naomi24]

As I always say to those supporting extremist politics in either direction, ‘be careful what you wish for’. They dismiss democracy and free speech at their peril.

[emmie]

so it would seem.