1984 By George Orwell

[naomi24]

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of a book that, in my opinion, resonates chillingly in today's world.  Have you read it - and what do you think of it?

[ToraToraTora]

I've read it and seen the film. I think there are parallels with the way we are heading with the nouveau fascism that is taking over. I don't think Orwell had it in mind when he came up with the "thought police" but it is coming to pass. You will have the "correct" opinion on any given subject or you will be cancelled.

[ToraToraTora]

Fan fact, Gregor Fisher (Rab C Nesbit) was in the film!

[maggiebee]

George Orwell Quote:

"Ignorance is not bliss,

it is a political weapon."

 

[Old_Geezer]

Read it a long long time ago. Unsure I recall much of it now except that it was a good read. Such dystopian tales are good. But yeah, it's been remarked on that many are treating it as an instruction manual rather than a warning.

[Stableford]

I've read it a couple of times and it's certainly chilling.  But not sure how it resonates with today's world, apart from perhaps CCTV.

[davebro3]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyrrylklzjdo

I have all Orwell's books & re-read them occasionally.

(and I've been to the house on Jura)

[Surreyman]

Another fun fact. 

In a survey 1984 is the novel most people have pretended to have read followed closely by War And Peace, and yes i have read it  ( or have I ? )

[Old_Geezer]

Not read W&P. Tried Anna Katrina at one time, but part way in I put it down and never got around to picking it back up again. (Did the same with Ulysses, but for different reasons.)

[jourdain2]

Well, I have definitely read it.  I bought it and 'Animal Farm' for my grandson for his last birthday (15 next month) as he is very literate (alas in the wrong gentes) and dystopian novels had featured in his English lessons. He's also been gifted 'Brave New World' by me - with the injunction that these were probably the 3 most importand books of the 20th C.  I don't know if he's read them.

I've been picking-up bits of R4's readings of 1984 on and off today and it has come flooding back. In 1984 itself, I shrugged and thought 'Phew! He was very wrong'.

Now it is terrifyingly accurate i.m.o.. 'Newspeak' especially so.

If you rob a language of its riches you constrain thought. I'm particularly interested in the English language and it is being depleted and constrained all the time.

OH and I are glad that we were born when we were.

[jourdain2]

^^^^  'genres'   ---- correction button pleeeease...

[fraser]

i read in 2020 when that scam was going about, to me it was about communism and fascism both are the same thing.

[newmodarmy]

You mean that covid scam that many died from and seriously debilitated people I know/knew?

[fraser]

newmodaarmy more people are dying now, look at the facts.

 

[ladybirder]

Jourdain, you much check before you post OK?

After you've posted check again.  Then and then only will you see your mistake.

[jourdain2]

I did check,Ladybirder. :(  Then, too late - I saw it.

[ladybirder]

LOL.  Told Ya;-)

[Old_Geezer]

It's quite possible you won't see it then either. I swear the spirits wait until the 'answer now' button it clicked before changing my perfectly written English post.

[ladybirder]

I remember reading it and being glued to it when it first came out.  Now, I can't remember a thing about it.  Which is a shame as that has happened with so many books.  

[Old_Geezer]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00201vg

 

Reading is so passé.