1984, George Orwell
1984, George Orwell
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1984

Author: George Orwell

Narrator: Theo Solomon

Unabridged: 12 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/02/2024


Synopsis

One of the most celebrated classics of the twentieth century, this cautionary tale of a man trapped under the gaze of an authoritarian state is more relevant now than ever before.“Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed for ever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you.”Winston Smith works in the Ministry of Truth—or Minitrue as it is called in Newspeak—where he alters newspapers and reports to follow the arbitrary dictates of Big Brother’s propaganda. Beneath his outward conformity, however, Winston dreams of sharing his treasonable thoughts andbreaking through the loneliness in which he lives.Thus he takes his first dangerous steps, writing a diary of his doubts and then falling in love with a woman of the Party, the beautiful and brave Julia. They know their love is doomed, but Julia says, “They can make you say anything—anything—but they can’t make you believe it.”But in Oceania, there is no possibility of solidarity, rebellion, or love—and the Party can reach anywhere.First published in 1949, this disturbing novel that George Orwell wrote during a time of great social and political unrest centers on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance, and repressive regimentation of people and behaviors within society.This classic of dystopian fiction contributed new words that became part of common English usage, including Big Brother, doublethink, newspeak, and thoughtcrime. The adjective "Orwellian" has come to mean government deception, surveillance, and misleading terminology.Cover illustration & Design by Derek Anderson and Joel Anderson. © Anderson Design Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Licensed by Anderson Design Group.

About George Orwell

George Orwell (1903–1950), the pen name of Eric Arthur Blaire, was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and literary critic. He is best known for his works of social criticism and opposition to totalitarianism. He also wrote nonfiction about his experiences in the working class and as a solder. His work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective “Orwellian,"describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices, has become part of the English language. In 2008, the London Times named him the second-greatest British writer since 1945.

About Theo Solomon

Theo Solomon is an Earphones Award–winning narrator who has worked extensively on stage, on screen, and behind the mic. He has performed across London and Nottingham, and his television work includes roles on Temple and Enterprice.


Reviews

It's written 1948? Clearly History has its twisted ways to repeat itself.. A Note that MUST be written in the cover of every edition.. لم اتوقع أن هذا التحذير "إن هذه الرواية تحذير وليست بدليل" بهذه الواقعية، مازالت الحكومات العربية تراقب الجميع لحماية أمن الحكام..بينما مازال أمن الأفراد هزيلا..منعدم......more

Goodreads review by هدى

حدثني عن القهر عن الاستعباد عن الذل ثم حدثني بأدق التفاصيل ‏ عن مراحل تقويض الكائن الانساني‏ حدثني كثيرا وطويلا كي أعي هذا الدمار كي أتشربه كي أدميه في لحمي وأعصابي نصلا حادا طويلا كي أنزف روحي بكاء كي أتعلم شيئا نافعا قبل أن أغادر هذا العالم البائس حدثني يا أورويل فما أشهى وجع حديثك وما أشهى ألم المعرفة الناز......more

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." In ravaged post-apocalyptic future, the world has divided itself into three totalitarian superpowers: Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. The three superstates always in constant never ending war with each other, and relentlessly and mercilessl......more

Goodreads review by Bill

This book is far from perfect. Its characters lack depth, its rhetoric is sometimes didactic, its plot (well, half of it anyway) was lifted from Zumyatin’s We, and the lengthy Goldstein treatise shoved into the middle is a flaw which alters the structure of the novel like a scar disfigures a face. Bu......more


Quotes

“One of the most significant novels of the twentieth century.”

The Guardian (London)

“A profound, terrifying, and wholly fascinating book…Orwell’s theory of power is developed brilliantly.”

The New Yorker

“The novel endures for its chilling portrayal of the dangers of a post-truth surveillance state.”

O, The Oprah Magazine

“No novel of the past century has had more influence than George Orwell’s 1984.”

The Atlantic

“A work of extraordinary quality and intensity.”

The Independent (London)

“Orwell’s novel escorts us so quietly, so directly, and so dramatically from our own day to the fate which may be ours in the future, that the experience is a blood-chilling one.”

Saturday Review

“A book that goes through the reader like an east wind, cracking the skin…Such are the originality, the suspense, the speed of writing, and withering indignation that it is impossible to put the book down.”

V. S. Pritchett, British author and literary critic


Awards

  • Prometheus Award
  • BBC’s Big Read Poll of the UK’s Best-Loved Books
  • New York Times Book Review pick
  • PBS Great American Read selection
  • Time Magazine's Best 100 English-Language Novels from 1923–2005
  • Oprah Book Club
  • New York Times bestseller
  • A USA Today bestseller
  • Washington Post Pick
  • New York Public Library Staff Pick