1984 by George Orwell - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

Nov 14, 2012 John Wiswell rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Classics readers, political readers concerned with overreaches

1984 is not a particularly good novel, but it is a very good essay. On the novel front, the characters are bland and you only care about them because of the awful things they live through. As a novel all the political exposition is heavyhanded, and the message completely overrides any sense of storytelling. As an essay, the points it makes can be earthshaking. It seems everyone who has so much as gotten a parking ticket thinks he lives in a 1984-dystopia. Every administration that reaches for po...more

209 likes · like · see review

view all 55 comments

Jeff Perry John,

You quoted Wikipedia to define propaganda. Ouch on credibility. Goebbels might have been a better source for your argument: repeat a lie enough a...more
May 06, 2013 09:39pm

Kari Kohler There is a point when hipster assholes just aren't cute anymore. Nor do they seem as intellectual as they seem snobby. 1984 is amazing you sheep. Jane...more
May 13, 2013 12:43pm

Jul 29, 2007 Dave rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In George Orwell's 1984, Winston Smith is an open source developer who writes his code offline because his ISP has installed packet sniffers that are regulated by the government under the Patriot Act. It's really for his own protection, though. From, like, terrorists and DVD pirates and stuff. Like every good American, he drinks Coca-Cola and his processed food has desensitized his palate to all but four flavors: (sweet, salty-so-that-you-will-drink-more-coca-cola, sweet, and Cooler Ranch!(tm))....more

483 likes · like · see review

Apr 30, 2013 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kick-ass, book-club-made-me-do-it

I've put off writing a review for 1984 because it's simply too daunting to do so. I liked 1984 even better after a second reading (bumping it up from a 4 star to a 5 star) because I think that, given the complexity of the future created by Orwell, multiple readings may be needed to take it all in. I thought it was genius the first time and appreciated that genius even more the second time.

Orwell had a daunting task: creating a future nearly half a century away from the time period in which he w...more I've put off writing a review for 1984 because it's simply too daunting to do so. I liked 1984 even better after a second reading (bumping it up from a 4 star to a 5 star) because I think that, given the complexity of the future created by Orwell, multiple readings may be needed to take it all in. I thought it was genius the first time and appreciated that genius even more the second time.

Orwell had a daunting task: creating a future nearly half a century away from the time period in which he was writing. This future had to be its own complex, independent society, but it also had to be the natural end result of the totalitarianism Orwell witnessed in the communist and socialist regimes of World War II. That's part of the horror of 1984: this future is a recognizable one, even in the 21st century. It's easy to see how those in control can, through manipulation and propaganda, maintain that control simply for the sake of sating their own power hunger. It's easy to say "no one could ever tell me what to think or what to do," but the Party's use of Big Brother, the Thought Police, the Two-Minute Hate, and Doublethink make it easy to see how a person's ability to think independently and discern fiction from reality can be eroded when there is no touchstone to fact. Revising and rewriting the past to make certain that Big Brother and the Party are always correct has effectively eliminated historical accuracy. How can one think and reason in a society where everything is a fabrication?

Another facet of 1984 that I find fascinating is the relationship between Winston and Julia. Winston claims Julia is a "rebel from the waist down," engaging in promiscuity and hedonistic indulgences forbidden by the Party. She doesn't care about social injustice or defining "reality"; she only longs for what will make her feel good in the moment and only rebels far enough to get what she wants. By comparison, Winston is an intellectual rebel, constantly worrying over the issues of truth and freedom and the real, unvarnished past, but limited in how far he's willing to push the boundaries (until he meets Julia). Together, they make a complete rebellion--physical and mental, but apart they find themselves impotent to stand up to the Party.

A cautionary tale, social commentary, and exemplary example of dystopian fiction, 1984 is one of those perfect novels that not only entertains, but forces one to think about the danger associated with giving any one person or entity too much power or control over our lives--issues well worth consideration in post-9/11 America.

Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder (less)

71 likes · like · see review

Jun 04, 2011 Obaydah Amer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book

هذه الرواية لا يجب أن تصنف أدبا ورواية وفنا وحسب ..
كلا .. هي أكبر من ذلك,
يجب أن تدرس كحالة مستعصية في علم الاجتماع وعلم السياسة .. !

عندما كتب جورج أورويل في الـ1949 كان متشائما لدرجة بعيدة لما سيؤول له العالم بعد 1984
نعم، ربما لم يتحقق ما قاله أورويل تماما، لكنه قد حصل بصورة موازية وشبيهة في كثير من المجتمعات الشمولية
لنتحدث عن سوريا مثلا :

الأخ الكبير : القائد الملهم والرئيس الشاب الدكتور بشار الأسد ..
أعضاء الحزب الداخلي: بعض المكونات الرئيسية للنظام
أعضاء الحزب الخارجي: حزب البعث
العامة: 19 مليون...more

74 likes · like · see review

May 19, 2013 Dina Nabil rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-change-my-life, pdf

ريفيو القراءة الاولى بتاريخ: الأربعاء، 8 سبتمبر، 2010

خلصت روايه "1984" لجورج ارويل فى ايدى بالظبط من 27 دقيقه و حبيت ادون اللحظه ....ما انكرش انى اتاثرت بالروايه دى تاثير كبير ببساطه لانها تمثل عالم مظلم قاسى بلا قلب حين تكون المعايير مزدواجه فى الروايه دى هتقابل الالفاظ تبرجل مخك و تخلى نفسك تقلقل مما قد يفعله البشر فى بعض من اعتصاب تفكيرك و اغتيال مخك و تمنى الموت فلا تجده ...ازدواجيه التفكير هو حجر الاساس فى الروايه الغريبه دى : خد مثلا شعار الحزب اللى بيحكم بلد بطل قصتنا

الحرب هى السلام
الحريه...more ريفيو القراءة الاولى بتاريخ: الأربعاء، 8 سبتمبر، 2010

خلصت روايه "1984" لجورج ارويل فى ايدى بالظبط من 27 دقيقه و حبيت ادون اللحظه ....ما انكرش انى اتاثرت بالروايه دى تاثير كبير ببساطه لانها تمثل عالم مظلم قاسى بلا قلب حين تكون المعايير مزدواجه فى الروايه دى هتقابل الالفاظ تبرجل مخك و تخلى نفسك تقلقل مما قد يفعله البشر فى بعض من اعتصاب تفكيرك و اغتيال مخك و تمنى الموت فلا تجده ...ازدواجيه التفكير هو حجر الاساس فى الروايه الغريبه دى : خد مثلا شعار الحزب اللى بيحكم بلد بطل قصتنا

الحرب هى السلام
الحريه هى العبوديه
الجهل هو القوه

كلام غريب صح !!!! الاغرب هو ازاى كفرد من افراد البلد دى انك تقول الكلام ده و انت مقتنع بيه المشكله مش انك تقوله لان الكلام اللى من ورا القلب و من خارج العقل كتييير و عادى انك تقول حاجه مش مقتنع بيها لكن انك تجبر على تغيير قناعتك و تقولها بقلبك و بعقلك هو ده الجنان فى حد ذاته...فعندما يقتنع الحزب بان 2+2 =5 لازم تقولها مش كرياء او اجبار لكن تقولها وانت مقتنع بيها و تكذب اى حد يقول ان 2+2=4 و تقول بكل جوارحك انه اما كذّاب او انه مجنون

احد الالفاظ اللى استوقفتنى لفظ "بياض السواد" فهى لما توصف بيها حد صديق يبقى معنها انه هو اللى بيحسن الحياه و لما توصف بيها حد عدو يبقى معنها انه بيوظ الحياه

اذا كانت روايه "مزرعه الحيوانات" هى الرمز و روايه "الصعود الى الهواء" الخوف من المستقبل تبقى روايه "1984" هى الحياه المظلمه نفسها بسوادها وكأبتها و ال 3 روايات لنفس الكاتب بنفس المخاوف و القلق

اولا اسم الروايه : الروايه اسمها "1984" فاذا علمت ان الروايه دى اتكتبت سنه 1944 و انها بتمثل المستقبل بعد 40 سنه تتضح لك الامور قليلا فهى بتصور ماذا لو انتصر الفكر الشمولى الفاشى الشيوعى فى فرض السيطره على العالم فتتركز الحياه فى شخص واحد كحاكم و القائد الملهم وهو شخصيه "الاخ الكبير" اللى حتى وجودها نفسه مشكوك فيه لانك باختصار عمر الشعب ما شافه فهو اما صوره او صوت او فيديو او تمثال و صوره بحجم متر اجباريه فى كل صوره تبرز وجهه و تحتها عباره "الاخ الكبير يراقبك"

ثانيا الاجواء العامه: القصه بتبدء فى لندن سنه 1984 فى المستقبل نسبه الى زمن الكتابه و بطل قصتنا هو "ويستون سميث" عضو خارجى فى الحزب ....البلد بتتكون من 2% هما الصفوه و اعضاء الحزب الداخلى من القاده و رؤساء القطاعات و دول نسبيا بيعيشوا حياه مترفه بيبوت كبيره وخدم و مكاتب كبيره و 13% اعضاء الحزب الداخلى هما الموظفين فى هيئات الحكومه بيعيشوا حياه اقل باكل ردئ و شقق فى مجمعات سكنيه اوضه واحده او اوضتين فى حاله العائلات و 85% هما الرعاع او عامه الشعب و هما مش اعضاء فى الحزب اطلاقا و لا حتى مهتم بيهم و دول بقى فى عيشه ضنك و بيشتغلوا فى الدعاره والمخدرات و السرقه والنهب والخدم و الخمارات وصغار الامور....

ثالثا الممنوعات : تعالوا بقى نستعرض الحاجات الممنوعه على اعضاء الحزب خاصه الفرع الخارجى الممنوع هو الافكار و تعبيرات الوجهه و الحب و حتى المتعه الجنسيه اثناء الزواج و شراء الاقلام او الكتب او كتابه مذاكرات و اى حاجه من السوق السودا زى رباط الجزم او امواس الحلاقه اما الكسل و الغياب عن اجتماعات الحزب فمن المحرمات ...ضف على ذلك وجود شاشات الرصد فى الشغل و البيت و المقهى و اى مكان هتتواجد فيه والشاشات دى ليها دورين الاول انك تتراقب طول الوقت و الدور التانى هو عرض الاشارات والتقرير بل و الاوامر و الموسيقى .....

رابعا فى حاله المخالفه : فى حاله المخالفه بجريمه الفكر و هى انك يكون عندك فكره ضد الحزب او تؤمن بحاجه مش مؤمن بيها الحزب او جريمه تانيه هى جريمه الوجهه و ده انك تعبر عن مشاعرك على تقاسيم وجههك...العقاب بعد التعذيب بكل انواعه فهو الدخول فى الغرفه 101 اما ما هى الغرفه وما فيها ....فده خليه لما تقرى الروايه نفسها اللى هتأثر فى نفسك

http://suchasmallaffairs.blogspot.com...

***********************
ريفيو القراءة الثانية الأحد 19 مايو 2013

ها انا بعد 3 سنوات اعود لمعشوقتى مرة اخرى...على غلافها يروى الناشر انها رواية تقرأ ثم تقرأ من جديد...اراها لم تكن مبالغات او نوع من الدعاية

ها انا بعد اطلاعى عليها بى دى اف اكثر من مرة...اعود اليوم لاشترى و اخيرا النسخة الورقية ...مثال اخر لكون الكتاب الجيد لا يقف امامه شئ

ها انا اعود بنسختى الورقية لاحول التاج من
pdf
الى
own

:)
(less)

50 likes · like · see review

view all 29 comments

Magdy Tahoun علي فكرة. الكاتب لا يقصد الأنظمة الشمولية، هو يقصد بالتأكيد الرأسمالية. فكرة ال 85% من الناس هم رعاع ولا قيمة لهم هي في الأساس أمريكية الصنع و ظهرت عل...more
May 19, 2013 12:11pm

Dina Nabil Magdy wrote: "علي فكرة. الكاتب لا يقصد الأنظمة الشمولية، هو يقصد بالتأكيد الرأسمالية. فكرة ال 85% من الناس هم رعاع ولا قيمة لهم هي في الأساس أمريكية ا...more
May 19, 2013 12:16pm

Dec 07, 2007 Silvana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: classics, own, top-20, dark-haunting

WAR IS PEACE.

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY.

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

Those words keep sounding in my head since I read this book. Gosh, probably the most haunting not to mention frightening book I've ever read. 1984 should also be included in the horror genre.

1984 describes a Utopia. Not Thomas More's version of Utopia, but this is one is the antithesis, i.e. Dystopia. Imagine living in a country, whose leaders apply a totalitarian system in regulating their citizen, in the most extreme ways, which make Hitler...more WAR IS PEACE.

FREEDOM IS SLAVERY.

IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

Those words keep sounding in my head since I read this book. Gosh, probably the most haunting not to mention frightening book I've ever read. 1984 should also be included in the horror genre.

1984 describes a Utopia. Not Thomas More's version of Utopia, but this is one is the antithesis, i.e. Dystopia. Imagine living in a country, whose leaders apply a totalitarian system in regulating their citizen, in the most extreme ways, which make Hitler, Mao, Stalin and that old bloke in V for Vendetta look like sissies.

Working, eating, drinking, sleeping, talking, thinking, procreating...in short living, all are controlled by the state. Any hint of obedience or dislike can be detected by various state apparatus such as the Thought Police, telescreen, or even your children, who will not hesitate to betray you to the authorities. Even language is modified in such ways that you cannot express yourself, since individualism is a crime.

The past is controlled, rewritten into something that will strengthen the incumbent ruler. Who controls the past, controls the future. Who controls the present, controls the past. There is no real truth. The "truth" is what the state says it is. Black is white, 2+2=5, if the state says so.

The world in 1984 is divided into three states, originated from the ashes from World War II: Oceania (British Isles, the Americas, Pacific, Australia), Eurasia (Europe & Russia), and Eastasia (the rest of it). Continuous warfare between those three (who hold similar ideologies) is required to keep the society's order and peace. Si vis pacem para bellum. That's describes the first slogan.

The second slogan, freedom is slavery, means the only way to be free is by letting you lose yourself and to be integrated within the Party. That way, you'll be indestructible and immortal.

Ignorance is strength, means the division on high, middle, low classes in society will never be changed. The middle wants to be the high and they'll act "on behalf of the low" to dethrone the high. Afterwards, a new middle class arises, all will change except the low. The high and middle make and uphold the law, the low (proletarian) is just too stupid to revolt. The state maintains its structure by torture, intimidation, violence, and brainwashing.

Blimey, Orwell's Animal Farm is already depressing, but 1984 gives "depression" a new meaning, at least for me.(less)

234 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2013 mark monday rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: after-the-fall, these-fragile-lives

'tis the season...

13 T A L E S O F T E R R O R: BOOK 9

yikes, the gloomiest of dystopias, the driest of writing, plus the inevitable sardonic twist ending to make your heart shrivel. an unhappy classic. read this while listening to the totally inappropriate eurythmics soundtrack and your mind will break too! mine sure did. ah, college.

☭ ☭ ☭ ☭ ☭ ☭ ☭

since the idea of rereading 1984 sounds about as exciting to me as living in the novel 1984, i have decided to instead review the wondrous semi-aborted soundtrac...more

35 likes · like · see review

Mar 28, 2013 Manny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, too-sexy-for-maiden-aunts, celebrity-death-match, pooh-dante

For the Celebrity Death Match Review Tournament, Lolita (11) versus 1984 (22)

- You sent for me, sir?

- Yes. Smith, Winston?

- That's right sir.

- Alright, Smith, sit down. I have an assignment for you. It's a little unusual.

- Yes sir.

- How do you feel about pedophiles, Smith?

The rest of this review is in my book What Pooh Might Have Said to Dante and Other Futile Speculations

29 likes · like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Jonathan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books-to-read-before-you-die, classic-literature, personal-favourites, science-fiction, popularity-contest, dystopian, books-with-films

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."

It is with these words that the reader is introduced to the ludicrousness of this astounding novel. A highly visionary novel in which Eric Blaire, otherwise known by the pseudonym George Orwell, creates a disturbing picture of the future. Although one cannot approach this novel by perceiving that this is the world Orwell believed would pass. Rather his dystopian masterpiece serves to provide a warning to the generation of...more

27 likes · like · see review

Aug 08, 2011 Saud Omar rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

تنبيه :في مراجعة الرواية هذه لا يوجد حرق للرواية. في هذه المراجعة يتم استعراض عقدة الرواية الأساسية. كل ما كٌتب هنا بدا لي أنه سوف يجعلك تقرأ الرواية بشكل أفضل. هذه المراجعة كٌتبت خصيصاً لأولئك الذين لم يقرءوا الرواية بعد

***
من مدونتي: ثمانون كتابا بحثا عن مخرج

www.80k.met

***
صدرت رواية “1984″ في عام 1949, وهي رواية سياسية دسيوتوبية, ومصطلح “يوتوبيا” يعني “العالم المثالي”, أو بالأخص “الحضارة المثالية” وخصوصاً في الجانب السياسي والاجتماعي منها, ومصطلح “دسيوتوبيا” يشير للفكرة المعاكسة من ذلك؛ والتي ت...more

19 likes · like · see review

Apr 15, 2012 Carlo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english-literature, to-be-read-again, dystopian, language

Celebrity Deathmatch Review: 1984 vs. The Annotated Alice

Alice was sitting next to her sister, who was absent-mindedly gazing to the ground. They were sitting on a huge rock, in a drab and gloomy place once known as Hyde Park.

“What are you staring at?” asked Alice abruptly.

“Staring? What is ‘staring’?” asked her sister without moving her gaze.

“Staring means looking continuously at something without moving your eyes away, just like what you are doing now,” said Alice.

“What is ‘means’? What is '...more

22 likes · like · see review

Sep 16, 2011 Carlo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian, english-literature, to-be-read-again, language

Simple: Nineteen Eighty Four is a book everyone should read. Not because it should be classified under non-fiction, nor because it explores entirely new aspects of human nature, and nor even because of the breathtaking imagination of George Orwell, but because of the simple fact that if we want to “survive,” it can be crucial for our survival and of our world as we know it.

One of my favorite books is The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. I believe that human beings are capable of doing what Dos...more Simple: Nineteen Eighty Four is a book everyone should read. Not because it should be classified under non-fiction, nor because it explores entirely new aspects of human nature, and nor even because of the breathtaking imagination of George Orwell, but because of the simple fact that if we want to “survive,” it can be crucial for our survival and of our world as we know it.

One of my favorite books is The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky. I believe that human beings are capable of doing what Dostoyevsky outlined and the world would be a far better place if they do. I can surmise that it is my favorite book because it talks about the world as I want it and think that it should be. But the perfect world can be entirely different for each and every one of us, and that's why I don't see as a necessity for everyone to read that book. But 1984 talks exactly about the opposite and in this lies the reason why I think everyone should read it: it talks about a world surely enough nobody wants to live in. Dostoyevsky’s world can be realized with enormous effort, whereas Orwell’s can be realized when no effort is done to change it from what it has become.

Readers of the book can argue that a world like that of the book would never be realized, given the “civilized” state we live in. I disagree and my counter argument is that the world the book discusses is imminent if not already here. Every tool of surveillance Orwell is talking about has an equivalent in our world today; The characteristics of Newspeak can be found in at least all the languages I speak; Every act of deception he talked about has been performed in some countries around the world if not in all of them. In short: everything he talked about is relevant to the our world more than anything.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is that of language. It shows how alteration of language can consequently alter thought and how for example the use of adjectives is crucial for being creative and able to use one’s imagination. Orwell also points out that the “simplification” of language affects the mind and its ability to think objectively.

Another interesting topic here is emotion. The book is filled about how emotions evolve and how someone can control them within oneself and others. In astonishing and smart prose, Orwell elucidates the means by which it is possible to erase love, plant hatred, induce respect, and even kindle belief of an idea. The book also recognizes the importance of sex along with other human instincts, such as the longing to be free, in shaping societies.

I think the book deserves more than the buzz it gets, along with its author. He was one of the smartest people I met in literature and reading this book was definitely one of the best reading experiences I’ve had.

NB: for those interested in language and how it affects thought, an essay called “Politics and The English Language” written by Orwell will be worth a read. My review of the essay is also available.(less)

23 likes · like · see review

view all 9 comments

Carlo @Brian: Thanks Brian!
As for those readers I’m talking about, they remind me of the Architect in the Matrix when he says “denial is the most predictabl...more
Jul 12, 2011 01:10pm

Tatiana I do think to people who don't feel the sort of heavy arm-twisting quality of the didacticism in various dystopias, they can be really good and import...more
updated Jul 12, 2011 02:57pm

Apr 30, 2010 Annalisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopia, classics, speculative, sci-fi

For concept, Orwell gets 5 stars for being the father of dystopias. No dystopia since has reached the level of creepiness that he has. Unfortunately, this book read more like a discourse on Orwell's dystopia than a picture of one. I know that's indicative of the time, but this one was excessively so. Orwell's style of writing was very dry and very much tell without a lot of show. He missed a lot of good opportunities to make this book real for me. Every time I became invested in the story and su...more For concept, Orwell gets 5 stars for being the father of dystopias. No dystopia since has reached the level of creepiness that he has. Unfortunately, this book read more like a discourse on Orwell's dystopia than a picture of one. I know that's indicative of the time, but this one was excessively so. Orwell's style of writing was very dry and very much tell without a lot of show. He missed a lot of good opportunities to make this book real for me. Every time I became invested in the story and sure the next turn of events would make the story worth it, it was just more of the same dry, intellectual writing.

Having said that, his dystopia is pretty creepy and the opening line one of my favorites ever: "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." I liked the concept of doublethink and how easy it is for the mind to alter its reality and belief. History exists only in memory and is therefore not a solid reality. The idea of bleakness and control and the fascist creed of the State were very thought-provoking if not well executed. I would have liked more exploration into the effects of these concepts instead of lectures on them.

Interestingly enough, the moment I lost faith in this society ever overthrowing its totalitarian government was when I discovered that it encompassed the entire world. That there was no diversity of government showed that ultimate power had already been gained, both in a macro and a micro sense. While disturbing in theory, I wish I had been shown more of Winston's transition in the end. If I had taken the journey with him, it would have been powerful. As it was, I felt rather empty myself of the loss since I never made much of a connection to Winston.

Definitely worth the read if for anything for the warnings inherent in Orwell's society. This hit especially close to home, the way in which people (politicians more than anyone) turn words around so everything is the opposite of what it seems:

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength(less)

22 likes · like · see review

Jan 06, 2011 Lyndsey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: about-dystopia-or-utopia, i-recommend, reviewed-2010, reviewed-2011, reviewed-5-stars, favorites, pov-primarily-male, 3rd-person-limited, experience, my-top-dystopian-or-utopian

YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good."

Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.

This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully...more

74 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2008 Derrick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a scary book. This is another one that seemingly everyone else read in highschool but somehow I managed not to. My favorite quote: "Orthodoxy means not thinking-not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness."
For me this book put a whole new spin on relativism, both moral and philosophical. The past doesn't actually exist in any concrete way, all that exists is evidence (i.e. the effects the present time has on the physical world that lasts into the future) and memory; both of which ca...more

38 likes · like · see review

Feb 25, 2012 Fahad rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, favorites

1984

نشر أورويل هذه الرواية بعد أربع سنوات من نشر روايته (مزرعة الحيوان)، كانت مزرعة الحيوان عن انهيار الحلم الشيوعي، وتبعثره على يد الستالينيين، وكيف أن المجتمع الشيوعي أصبح أسوأ بكثير من المجتمع الرأسمالي، وأنه ليست أرزاق العمال والفلاحين المهددة الآن تحت ظل الشيوعية، وإنما حرياتهم بل وحياتهم ذاتها.

احتاج النظام السوفييتي إلى عشرين عام فقط بعد الثورة (1917 – 1937 م)، ليظهر أقبح وجوهه في مهزلة محاكمات موسكو، وحملات التطهير التي قتل فيها ما يقترب من المليوني شخص في الاتحاد السوفييتي، فلذا عندما...more 1984

نشر أورويل هذه الرواية بعد أربع سنوات من نشر روايته (مزرعة الحيوان)، كانت مزرعة الحيوان عن انهيار الحلم الشيوعي، وتبعثره على يد الستالينيين، وكيف أن المجتمع الشيوعي أصبح أسوأ بكثير من المجتمع الرأسمالي، وأنه ليست أرزاق العمال والفلاحين المهددة الآن تحت ظل الشيوعية، وإنما حرياتهم بل وحياتهم ذاتها.

احتاج النظام السوفييتي إلى عشرين عام فقط بعد الثورة (1917 – 1937 م)، ليظهر أقبح وجوهه في مهزلة محاكمات موسكو، وحملات التطهير التي قتل فيها ما يقترب من المليوني شخص في الاتحاد السوفييتي، فلذا عندما نشر أورويل كتابه هذا في سنة 1949 م، كان يتوقع بأن 35 سنة كافية ليتحول العالم كله إلى الصورة المرعبة التي رسمها في روايته هذه، حيث تنقسم الكرة الأرضية إلى ثلاث دول فقط، إيستاسيا وهي الدولة التي تضم بلاد شرق آسيا وجنوبها من الصين واليابان والهند وغيرها من الدول المحيطة، وأوراسيا وهي الدولة التي تسيطر على روسيا وأوروبا، وأوقيانيا التي تسيطر على الأمريكتين والجزيرة البريطانية.

بطل الرواية وينستون سميث خمسيني يعيش في لندن ضمن حدود دولة أوقيانيا، والتي يسيطر عليها حزب وحيد يقوده الأخ الأكبر، والذي يحمل ملامح ستالينية لا يمكن أن يخطئها القارئ، الأخ الأكبر تتمحور حوله عبادة الشخصية كما ظهرت في الفترة الستالينية، وصوره في كل مكان من الدولة، وتحتها العبارة الشهيرة (الأخ الأكبر يراقبك)، وطيلة الرواية لا ندري هل الأخ الأكبر موجود أم لا؟ ربما يكون ميتاً منذ زمن بعيد، ولكن عبادة الشخصية تحوله إلى كائن أسطوري خالد، وتمحور كل شيء حول شخصه، وهي حالة مخزية جداً، لازالت موجودة في واقعنا المعاصر وإن بدرجات متفاوتة، ومثالها البارز كوريا الشمالية.

نتعرف مع وينستون على الحالة الغريبة التي وصل إليها ذلكم المجتمع الشمولي، حيث أربع وزارات تدير البلد، وزارة السلم وهي المسئولة عن الحرب، وزارة الوفرة وهي المسئولة عن الاقتصاد، الذي نعرف من خلال الرواية أنه بعيد تماماً عن الوفرة، وزارة الحقيقة وهي مشابهة لوزارة الإعلام ولكنها متخصصة في نشر الأكاذيب والشائعات، وأخيراً وزارة الحب وهي الوزارة المرعبة التي تشرف على شرطة الفكر، وعلى عمليات التعذيب المنهجية للمعارضين، والتي تتابع الناس من خلال شاشات الرصد الموجودة في كل مكان حتى في منازل أتباع الحزب.

قد تبدو لنا تسمية الوزارات ساخرة، حيث تقوم كل وزارة بمهام معاكسة لاسمها، ولكننا نكتشف أن وراء التسمية فلسفة رهيبة، هي فلسفة التفكير المزدوج، التي يحاول الحزب من خلالها قتل كل فكر مناهض، هذه الفلسفة نفهمها ونفهم المراد منها في الفصول الأخيرة من الرواية.

في هذا المجتمع المخيف، يحاول وينستون المشوش، والذي يعمل في وزارة الحقيقة، حيث يقوم بمهام تعديل الأخبار القديمة لتتوافق مع معطيات الحاضر، وهي مهمة يحرص عليها الحزب ليتلاعب بالتاريخ ويجعله يأتي وفقاً لفلسفته وخططه، يحاول وينستون البحث عن الحقيقة، التساؤل، هل كان الأمر هكذا دائماً؟ لا يوجد ذاكرة للمجتمع، لقد تلاعب بها الحزب، أعاد كتابة التاريخ ليجعله يبدأ من الثورة التي أتت بالحزب، وسلطته على رقاب الناس، فلذا صار وينستون لا يعرف إلا أطياف من المعلومات عن أوضاع ما قبل الثورة، ما قبل الحزب، وفي رحلته في البحث عن الحقيقة، تنشأ قصة حب خفية بينه وبين جوليا، وهي فتاة من الحزب، تتظاهر بأنها مؤمنة بالمبادئ قلباً وقالباً، ولكنها هي من يقود وينستون في قصة الحب هذه التي يخفيانها عن شاشات الرصد، وعن شرطة الفكر.

في أثناء هذا يلتقي وينستون بأوبراين، أحد قادة الدائرة الداخلية للحزب، والذي يكشف له أنه مؤمن بأفكار عدو الحزب الأساس (عمانوئيل جولدشتين)، والوصف الذي يعطينا إياه المؤلف لجولدشتين هذا يذكرنا بتروتسكي، يمني أوبراين وينستون بثورة قادمة، ويعطيه كتاباً لجولدشتين يقرؤه وينستون أثناء لقاءاته بجوليا.

يتم القبض على وينستون وجوليا أثناء أحد لقاءاتهما، حيث يكتشفان أنهما كانا مراقبين منذ البداية، وأن كل ما فعلاه رصدته شرطة الفكر، بل والأسوأ هو أن أوبراين ذاته من شرطة الفكر، وهو من سيتولى تعذيب وتحطيم شخصية وينستون.

يصف لنا المؤلف وبدقة التعذيب الذي يتعرض له وينستون، وهو ليس تعذيب جسدي فقط، وإنما هو عملية منهجية يتم فيها غسل دماغ وينستون، وتلقينه التفكير المزدوج الذي يجعله يصدق أن 2 زائد 2 يساوي خمسة عندما يقول له الحزب ذلك، لا يكفي أن يقولها خوفاً، لا... وإنما يجب أن يؤمن بها في قلبه، وهذا هو الطريق الذي سيحمله إلى محبة الأخ الأكبر.

هذه العملية المرعبة نتابع نتائجها المؤلمة على وينستون حتى النهاية، المرعب هو أننا نعرف من خلال التاريخ أن أورويل لم يبتكر كل هذا، فبرامج التعذيب هذه مطبقة خلال الفترة السوفياتية، حتى أن المعذبين كانوا عندما يعدمون، يبكون، لا على أنفسهم، وإنما لأنهم يشعرون بأنهم خذلوا الأخ الأكبر، خذلوا الزعيم الأبدي.
(less)

14 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 K.D. Oliveros rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-core, dystopian, 501

Verdict After Re-reading:

Same Rating: 4 STARS

After 2-1/2 years, I re-read this. Reason: First book that our Filipinos book club here in Goodreads had discussed face-to-face. This was last Saturday. It was a very interesting and stimulating discussion. We were 12: 7 boys and 5 girls. Ages ranged from 17 to 52. Corporate rats, an entrepreneur, a college student, etc and from different industries: IT, manufacturing, publishing, marine, service, oil, etc. Mostly single except for three. Mostly Catho...more

23 likes · like · see review

May 10, 2011 Stephen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorites, 6-star-books, easton-press, audiobook, 1930-1953, world-in-the-shitter, science-fiction, favorite-ideas, literature, classics, classics-european

I am a big fan of speculative fiction and in my literary travels I have encountered a myriad of dystopias, anti-utopias and places and societies that make one want to scream and.....

...(with or without contemporaneous loss of bladder and other bodily functions)....

Simply put, George Orwell's 1984 is unquestionably the most memorable and MOST DISTURBING vision of a world gone ~~mad~~ utterly bat-shit psycho that I have ever experienced. Ever!!! Despite being published back in 1948, I have yet to f...more

128 likes · like · see review

Jul 21, 2012 طَيْف rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

أي عالم مخيف مرعب رسمته الرواية وصورته!!وأي مضامين خفيّة تحتويها!!
عالم بلا ماضٍ ولا حاضر ولا مستقبل ولا لغة ولا فكر...ولا...لكل لا...

"بإمكان من يسيطر على الماضي أن يمتلك المستقبل و من يتحكم بالحاضر أن يسيطر على الماضي"

عالم يخلو من كل القيم والمثل...يتحكم فيه مجموعة من البشر بالأفكار عبر لغة جديدة يضيقون حدودها ليضيق التفكير...
و يلتهمون حيوات العباد...لتكتب لهم الحياة...

هناك...لا خيارات...والبشر مجرد أرقام هامشية...بلا مشاعر ولا طموحات ولا آمال...همهم إرضاء الأخ(الوهم)الأكبر.

نجح أورويل باستنزاف م...more

13 likes · like · see review

Jul 06, 2012 وضحى rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novels

الحمد لله أن تنبؤاته الروائية لم تحدث في أرض الواقع فعلا ههه...
مع أننا نستطيع أن نرى ومضات هنا وهناك مما فيها! وكم يبدو مخيفاً جداً..!
ياللهول!!

الرواية صدرت في عام 1949 وتحكي أحداث العالم التي تنبأ بها جورج أورويل في العام 1984 كما هو اسم الرواية..
الرواية عميقة جداً لا تكاد تنفك عن الارتباط بواقعنا ومآلاته وأحواله وإخفاقاته
وقد تشعر أنها امتداداً لروايته التي سبقتها بأربعة أعوام " مزرعة الحيوان" الساخرة من ثورة العمال وأيضا اخفاقات الشيوعية السوفييتية "البلشفية"
في هذه الرواية.. يصور لنا الكاتب...more

10 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2008 Marty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: school-bookshelf

This is one of those books that I had always meant to read, but never got around to. Finally, one of my college classes required it, so I was happy to pick it up, though not without some reserved skepticism beforehand. I knew it was one of those books that is constantly referred to by people who are paranoid about government and distrust everything the government does, which wouldn't really describe me, in general. But, I have to admit that Orwell's writing is masterful. Right from the start, th...more This is one of those books that I had always meant to read, but never got around to. Finally, one of my college classes required it, so I was happy to pick it up, though not without some reserved skepticism beforehand. I knew it was one of those books that is constantly referred to by people who are paranoid about government and distrust everything the government does, which wouldn't really describe me, in general. But, I have to admit that Orwell's writing is masterful. Right from the start, the world he presents is mesmerizing. I think I am safe in saying that in the first third of the book, almost nothing happens. Yet, I can also say that the first third of the book was just as interesting as any of the action that comes later. Every detail, every description, every movement is analyzed in the most fascinating way. Orwell is no idiot. He has that very rare ability of few great authors to show the workings of the inner mind of man in such a true and believable way that you very well believe that he could look at you and know what you are thinking. After the first third of the book, when the story actually progresses, it gets exciting almost in the way that a thriller does. You keep on wondering what move will be next and how the character is going to strategize the demise of the enemy. Then the last third of the book is a devastating, but still masterful analysis of the human mind, free will, and reality. At almost every stage, Orwell presents his ideas with a written clarity that is a language all in its own. In spite of this whole experience and my recognition at how skillful the writing and analysis was, I cannot say that I liked the book, or even if I would recommend it. The main reason for this is that I believe Orwell cheated at the end. The protagonist was putting up a fight against the machine, and in spite of its all-powerful, seemingly omnipotent status, he held off. Now, Orwell had two options. The protagonist either would capitulate under the increasingly intelligent pressure put on by the oppressor, or he would outlast and maintain his own free will to the end. I think that the ending Orwell chose was contrived, and what he did to get the protagonist there was unbelievable. Maybe it's my own principles or feelings, but I suspect that if Orwell had done it well enough, I would have at least respected his approach. But as it is now, I had to shake my head and say to myself: No. That's not true to human nature. I don't buy that. And what's worse, I felt that Orwell must have known that himself. His writing was too brilliant before, too logical, too well-reasoned. The person who wrote all of that can't possibly believe in this moment either. So, I suspect, that in order to get the ending that he wanted, he contrived the tipping point and then returned to his brilliant form to bring the story to its conclusion. One misstep is a harsh way to judge a truly exemplar book, but I believe that it was a key moment and it unravels all the true elements Orwell had so carefully set up before. Overall, however, it would be difficult to say to not read the book, because this type of writing and insight is difficult to come by. So if you are looking for a meaty intellectual treat, read it. But don't let him cheat you in the end. (less)

33 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2012 Algheeed rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

هذه الرواية تمثّل بكل صدق بيضة الديك :). هذه الرواية - كما نصّت صفحة الغلاف لهذه النسخة المترجمة للعربية - تُقرَأ ثُمَّ تُقرَأ من جديد.
تتناول الرواية الديكتاتورية في أبشع صورها، و تتناول الاستعمار "الفِكري" في أفضل صوره، بل و تصف سياسة التجسس في أروع صورها!
هي رواية تحلل الفِكْر السياسي و أداوت السيطرة و الحُكم و الحرب النفسية. لا توجد أي جزئية تستطيع أن تقول عنها أنها مملة في هذه الرواية. كل جزئية تقودك لما بعدها بشغف. بل و تتابع الأحداث لتصدمك بعد أن كنت واثقا من أن توقعاتك للصفحات القادمة هي...more

11 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2012 ShAza rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

انتابتني الدهشة عندما علمت أن جورج أورويل كتب "1984" في عام 1949 في محاولة للتنبؤ بما سيحل بالعالم , خيال اورويل نجح في رسم صورة مطابقة للواقع بصورة كبيرة .

بصراحة لا أعتقد أنه بإمكاني وضع تلخيص جيد للرواية لأنني لم أستطع أن ألم بكل ما ورد بها من أفكار و استنتاجات من المرة الأولى لكنني استطيع أن أقول أنها تتحدث عن الهدف الأوحد للحزب الشمولي , انه تشويه إنسانية الإنسان و قتل كل ما هو جميل فيه , و تجريده من الأخلاق وحرمانه من كل متعة .. لأن أي شعور للإنسان بإنسانيته سيقوده للوعي و الوعي سيقوده بالض...more انتابتني الدهشة عندما علمت أن جورج أورويل كتب "1984" في عام 1949 في محاولة للتنبؤ بما سيحل بالعالم , خيال اورويل نجح في رسم صورة مطابقة للواقع بصورة كبيرة .

بصراحة لا أعتقد أنه بإمكاني وضع تلخيص جيد للرواية لأنني لم أستطع أن ألم بكل ما ورد بها من أفكار و استنتاجات من المرة الأولى لكنني استطيع أن أقول أنها تتحدث عن الهدف الأوحد للحزب الشمولي , انه تشويه إنسانية الإنسان و قتل كل ما هو جميل فيه , و تجريده من الأخلاق وحرمانه من كل متعة .. لأن أي شعور للإنسان بإنسانيته سيقوده للوعي و الوعي سيقوده بالضرورة للثورة ..

السلطة لدى الحزب الشمولي لا تعني أن يخضع المواطن للأوامر فحسب بل أن يخضع لها بذلّ عليه , عليه أن يختار ال 5 جوايا ل 2 × 2 لا بل أكثر من ذلك عليه أن يكون صادقا في ذلك !

تبدو أي محاولة للوعي في هذا المجتمع مستحيلة , فالكل يتجسس على الكل , شاشات الرصد في كل مكان ., مكبرات الصوت موجودة في البساتين والحقول , لا يمكنك الثقة بأحد , المجتمع ممزق بصورة ممنهجة , يتعلم الطفل في المعسكرات أن لا يرحم حتى أباه إن هو أخطأ في حق "الأخ الكبير" ... يبدو كل ذلك معروفاً لكن لماذا ؟
لماذا يشوه المجتمع لهذه الدرجة , يبدو أن الحزب الشمولي يبني سلطته على هذا الكم من الكراهية و التجهيل و التمزيق , لأن "هدف الحزب من السلطة ليس الارتقاء بالمجتمع بل غايته هي السلطة ذاتها ", و في سبيل ذلك يمكنه أن يغيرالتاريخ ويمحي أشخاص من الوجود ويخلق أشخاص وهميين , يمكنه أن يكذب وفي اليوم التالي يكذب الكذبه , لا بل حتى يمكنه أن يحرم زوجين من ممارسة حبهما و بالتالي السعي لتأمين التناسل بطرق مخبرية مجردة من العاطفة ..

أظهر جوروج أورويل تشاؤما في نهاية روايته , ربما قصد من ذلك العكس !! على العموم أثبت التاريخ فعلياً ما ذهب إليه وينستون في بداية الرواية ألا وهو أن الأمل منصب على العامّة وأنهم إن وعوا ثاروا وإن ثاروا وعوا ...

لا يمكن اعتبار "1984" رواية ممتعة فحسب , إنها من النّوع الذي يجب أن يُهيأ له ركنٌ رحبٌ في الذاكرة , وأعتقد أنه يتوجب عليّ إعادة قرائتها في وقت قريب ..

(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2012 ايمان rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"المرء لا يقيم حكما استبداديا لحماية الثورة و انما يشعل الثورة لاقامة حكم اسبدادي"
"اننا نقوم بتدمير الكلمات اننا نسلخ اللغة حتى العظام"
"بامكان من يسيطر على الماضي ان يمتلك المستقبل و من يتحكم بالحاضر ان يسيطر على الماضي"
مقتطفات من رواية 1984 لجورج ارويل تدخل في اطار روايات ديستوبيا عالم كئيب حيث الحرية تتجسد في العبودية حيث الكلمات تموت لتحيي معاني جديدة تلوكها افواه الناس بدون وعي سوى وعي باحترام العالم كما هو تحكمه فئة قليلة تهوى السلطة..تلك السلطة تتحكم في كل شيء حتى الأحلام..الانسان لم يعد ا...more "المرء لا يقيم حكما استبداديا لحماية الثورة و انما يشعل الثورة لاقامة حكم اسبدادي"
"اننا نقوم بتدمير الكلمات اننا نسلخ اللغة حتى العظام"
"بامكان من يسيطر على الماضي ان يمتلك المستقبل و من يتحكم بالحاضر ان يسيطر على الماضي"
مقتطفات من رواية 1984 لجورج ارويل تدخل في اطار روايات ديستوبيا عالم كئيب حيث الحرية تتجسد في العبودية حيث الكلمات تموت لتحيي معاني جديدة تلوكها افواه الناس بدون وعي سوى وعي باحترام العالم كما هو تحكمه فئة قليلة تهوى السلطة..تلك السلطة تتحكم في كل شيء حتى الأحلام..الانسان لم يعد انسانا و لم يصبح بعد آلة تختفي ماهيته بين الطاعة و العمل تختفي المشاعر ,النزوات .الأماكن ,الذكريات يختفي كل شيء فيه طعم انساني ليبرز معنى جديد للسعادة مرتبط بمحبة الأخ الأكبر التاريخ يصبح صفحة ماء قابلة للتغير بحصى صغير و الماضي لا نملكه الا كما يرغب اخانا الأكبر كل شيء مراقب حتى دقات القلب و انفاس الرهبة ..ارويل كتب هذه الرواية مع نهاية الحرب العالمية الثانية ربما تكون رؤيته للمستقبل صحيحة لما يحدث الآن فتفاقم مشكلات السلطة و نظريةالمؤامرة التي ترافقها الهيمنات الاقتصادية و الاعلامية غسيل ادمغة الشعوب و مشاريع على غرار ايكيليون ووثائق ويكليكس و الثورات المرافقة و...و....كل شيء اصبح مشكوك فيه .رواية بالتأكيد ستغير بعضا من معتقداتك او على الأقل ستدفعك الى اسقاط بعض افكار ارويل على الواقع المعاصر فمهما اختلفت المسميات و اختلفت الفئات و الهيئات و الجغرافيات فالهدف يبقى دائما أبدا واحد....السلطة
قراءة ممتعة(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Apr 15, 2012 أحمد أبازيد Ahmad Abazed rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

" انتبه : الأخ الكبير يراقبك ! "
رواية صادمة تمثّل زلزالا للوعي و اللاوعي لدى كلّ من يقرؤها , هذه الرواية التي شكّلت ذروة عبقريّة جورج أورويل و تأثّره و تأثيره في الوعي العالمي و التاريخ الحديث .
الأخ الكبير عند أورويل له مرادفات في ثقافتنا العربية الراهنة ( مثلا : الأخ العقيد , القائد الخالد , القائد الضرورة ... أو الرئيس الشاب ! ) هذا الاختلاف في التسمية هو توافق عبقريّ في مأساويّته لدولة " أوقيانيا " مع دول مثل : سورية و العراق و ليبيا و تونس و مصر ... و باقي أنظمتنا الثوريّة التي تأكلنا و تفتّ...more " انتبه : الأخ الكبير يراقبك ! "
رواية صادمة تمثّل زلزالا للوعي و اللاوعي لدى كلّ من يقرؤها , هذه الرواية التي شكّلت ذروة عبقريّة جورج أورويل و تأثّره و تأثيره في الوعي العالمي و التاريخ الحديث .
الأخ الكبير عند أورويل له مرادفات في ثقافتنا العربية الراهنة ( مثلا : الأخ العقيد , القائد الخالد , القائد الضرورة ... أو الرئيس الشاب ! ) هذا الاختلاف في التسمية هو توافق عبقريّ في مأساويّته لدولة " أوقيانيا " مع دول مثل : سورية و العراق و ليبيا و تونس و مصر ... و باقي أنظمتنا الثوريّة التي تأكلنا و تفتّتنا و تسحقنا منذ عقود , هذا التوافق في سايكولوجية الاستبداد و خلق القطيع و و تنصيب الصنم للجماهير , و توجيه غضبها نحو الوجهة التي ترضي " الأخ الكبير " , هذا التوافق في مفهوم "الحقيقة" الذي تلعب على أوتاره كلّ الأنظمة الشموليّة لتختصر البلد و تاريخه و ثقافته و حضارته و حروبه و سلامه في العقليّة الجمعيّة بأفق الحزب الحاكم و الوثن الأعلى فيه . ( أتذكّر هنا شعارات مثل : عراق صدّام أو سورية الأسد !! ) ـ
كيف نصنع الخوف .. كيف نقتل التفكير .. كيف تمحو اللغة .. كيف نجمّد الزمن .. كيف نصنع حدود النظرة
:
" الله هو السلطة "
هذاكان شعار الحزب , و هو الشعار المطبّق في كلّ الأنظمة الشمولية , لا إله سوى السلطة .. تخلق ما تشاء و تقرّر ما تشاء و تفعل ما تشاء , ولا يعلم حدود الرئيس و قدرته إلّا هو , هو الواحد الأحد و الفرد الصمد المحيي المميت الرزاق القهّار وحده !
هذه الأنظمة لا تريد أن تحكمك و تنهبك فقط , إنّها تريد أن تمسخ إنسانيّتك لتكون مجرّد روبوت مسيّر بيدها و لذلك كتب ونستون في مذكّراته :
" هم يريدون أن يلغوا إنسانيّتك .. ولذلك فأن تحافظ على إنسانيّتك حتى موتك هو ما يعني انتصارك عليهم , حتى لو لم يؤدّ ذلك إلى أيّ نتائج ! "
لماذا نعذّب لماذا نسرق لماذا نستبدّ لماذا نقتل لماذا نحكم طيلة حياتنا ثمّ نورّث الجمهوريّة لأبنائنا ؟!:
" إننا ندرك أنه ما من احد يمسك بزمام السلطة و هو ينتوي التخلّي عنها , إن السلطة ليست وسيلة بل غاية , فالمرء لا يقيم حكما استبداديا لحماية الثورة , و إنما يشعل الثورة لإقامة حكم استبدادي , إن الهدف من الاضطهاد هو الاضطهاد , و الهدف من التعذيب هو التعذيب , و غاية السلطة هي السلطة ... هل بدأت تفهم ما أقول الآن ؟!! "
هذا جواب أوبراين !
1984 رواية يجب على كلّ عربيّ أن يقرأها ليرى رموزه و أصنامه مرسومة , و ليجد نفسه أيضا مرسوما داخلها كما شاءت أنظمة الثورة و حكم الحزب الواحد و الفرد الواحد .
1984 بكلّ ما تنبّا و كتب و تعمّق و حلّل أورويل فيها عمل عبقريّ يقرأ و يقرأ و يقرأ .
الشيء الوحيد الذي لم يتوقّعه أورويل : هو أن التونسيّين و المصريين و اليمنيين و الجزائريين ( و آمل أن أكتب فيما بعد و السوريين و اللليبيّين... و .. و.. الخ ) سوف يثبتون بدمهم و حرّيتهم خطأ " النهاية " !!!ـ(less)

63 likes · like · see review

Aug 16, 2007 Richard rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: general-reading

About two days ago, I wrote an entry about Schrödinger's Cat (among other things) in which I argued that the people who do end up making especially prescient observations distinguish themselves in a way that we should allow people to be distinguished. No where is that statement more relevant than in discussing George Orwell's (the nom de plume of Eric Blair) prophetic dystopian vision of totalitarianism: 1984.

Though the year 1984 has come and gone (hell, I was still wipping around with my little...more About two days ago, I wrote an entry about Schrödinger's Cat (among other things) in which I argued that the people who do end up making especially prescient observations distinguish themselves in a way that we should allow people to be distinguished. No where is that statement more relevant than in discussing George Orwell's (the nom de plume of Eric Blair) prophetic dystopian vision of totalitarianism: 1984.

Though the year 1984 has come and gone (hell, I was still wipping around with my little tail somewhere inside my pops in '84), Orwell's demonic vision of a world without history, without truth, without any notion of physical reality remains as poignant and haunting now as it must have been when it was first published in 1949. In fact, in many ways, reading this book for the first time cover-to-cover (I had previously read excerpts), I am truly shocked that it was published so early on. Though many aspects of the novel are either ostensibly or clearly based on Stalinist Russia (particularly notable are the similarities between Big Brother and Stalin, and Goldstein and Trotsky), the work remains general enough that readers of any era—any political persuasion—might notice parallels to their own respective societies.

Certainly, our own does not escape indictment. I think one of the most poignant and thought-provoking aspects of this novel was the discussion in third chapter of the book (War is Peace) of perpetual war as a mechanism for retaining power and perpetuating domestic oppression; without doubt, no study of the Cold War would be complete without this consideration, nor, cynics would argue, would any study of the early 21st century.

All in all, 1984 easily remains one of the most important and influential novels of the past century, and I think in many ways, one of the few truly timeless works of literature. The issues Orwell wrote about in 1949 are only likely to grow more relevant as technology continues to advance at its breakneck pace. The greatest folly for us, as modern readers, would be to relegate this phenomenally prescient work as yet another Cold War classic, another case study in Stalinist barbarity; one need only pick up a newspaper today to realize the slippery slope to totalitarianism is one human society will likely navigate for as long as it is in existence.

Overall, 5 stars of 5. If you have never read this book, or perhaps, read it when you were younger, I encourage you to pick it up again. Without doubt, I was able to gain more perspective having read it as an adult than when I first read excerpts as a high school student.(less)

27 likes · like · see review

May 15, 2011 إبراهيم عادل rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

‫لا بأس ، لا بأس، ها قد انتصرت على نفسي، وصرت أحب الأخ الكبير‬
.
.
هكذا انتهت الثورة بـ ونستون
يبدو أنه كان يسير طول الوقت في الطريق الخطأ
ــــــــــــــــــــ
هذه رواية رائعة ودالة جدًا حتمًا
ليس عندي من شك في أن الكثير من الشعوب العربية والممالك لم تتخلص من سيطرة ذلك الأخ الكبير المراقب بعد بصوره المتعددة
حببتني هذه الرواية في جورج أورويل أيضًا
وجاءت ترجمة أنور الشامي موفقة جدًا
.
.
شكرًا لـ جلال أمين فقد قادني إليها مرغمًا
....................
ليس مهمًا إسماع الآخرين صوتك ، بل ببقائك سليم العق...more

8 likes · like · see review

Nov 08, 2009 theduckthief rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"The thought police would get him just the same. He had committed--would have committed, even if he had never set pen to paper--the essential crime that contained all others in itself. Thoughtcrime, they called it. Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you."

Written in 1949, this book is George Orwell's imagining of a dystopian future where Big Brother is the ultimate contr ...more "The thought police would get him just the same. He had committed--would have committed, even if he had never set pen to paper--the essential crime that contained all others in itself. Thoughtcrime, they called it. Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you."

Written in 1949, this book is George Orwell's imagining of a dystopian future where Big Brother is the ultimate control freak. Those in power, the Inner Party, control the actions in their own ranks and those of the the Outer Party who could also be termed the Middle Class.

The world has split into three super governments. Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia with a constant war brewing between one or the other. This book take place in Oceania and concerns one Winston Smith. We watch as he suffers through a life where a telescreen (read creepy camera surveillance) watches his every move and monitors his heartbeat and facial expressions for anything that could indicate he might be a dissident.

People disappear every day in his life and everything is regulated. The Inner Party is even writing dictionaries to limit and dictate what people can talk about. Every subsequent dictionary is smaller, with fewer words because the party believes that by controlling words they can control thought. After all, if you never heard the word 'lemon' would you ever know what it was?

What I liked was how accessible this book was even after almost 60 years. While some parts seemed quite archaic I found the piece quite modern and easy to read. The only place I was a little put off was the sentence "Winston's entrails seemed to grow cold." There was just something about that line that didn't work for me.

The story moved along at a quick pace and then immediately got bogged down when Winston started reading "the book". Whether Orwell started to suffer from soapbox hysteria, spouting his own ideals and morals from his book, I don't know. What I do know is the story started to drag and I got bored with all the technical gobbledegook that didn't move the plot along.

Orwell completely lost me at the end. It was as if the story had unraveled. When I reached part three I assumed the story would pick up again and quickly come to a conclusion. Things only became more confusing, especially where O'Brien was concerned. And Winston's transition at the end felt as if it was skimmed over. The very ending was a little surreal as well, though I don't know if it was meant to be. The first two thirds were amazing though and I would recommend the book just for that.

The sad thing is that I really got into this book. I completely devoured it and in the end I was disappointed. I would almost recommend reading up to the point where Winston receives the book and then stop.(less)

19 likes · like · see review

Aug 23, 2007 Jason rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Any book or movie that has created a cultural point of reference is worth a look, by my estimation anyway.

For those of you who've heard the phrase "Orwellian" and never knew what it means, this book is a good place to start.

Before there was "The Matrix", "V for Vendetta", or virtually any other dreary view of a totalitarian future, there was 1984, George Orwell's bleak vision of a world under the thumb of a brutal, oppressive regime.

The setting is London, which is now a part of Oceania, a lar...more

25 likes · like · see review

Dec 08, 2012 Iqbal Al-Zirqi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I dont know what to write after reading it!! I will say: devastated, depressed and very sad. It was a magnificant piece of work, that describes to us how any ideology based on one view can destroy human soul. What struk me is how this ideology of big brother did not make execuses for what the party did of torture or falsification of history or dividing love in family or the double thinking philosophy and disinhibition of instincts like sex! it just said frankly that their aim is to make human as...more I dont know what to write after reading it!! I will say: devastated, depressed and very sad. It was a magnificant piece of work, that describes to us how any ideology based on one view can destroy human soul. What struk me is how this ideology of big brother did not make execuses for what the party did of torture or falsification of history or dividing love in family or the double thinking philosophy and disinhibition of instincts like sex! it just said frankly that their aim is to make human as zero, as nothing, in order to keep life going on!! We want power for sake of power, and all human lives are nothing but insignificant. All the universe is an image made by us, creating it and putting it in the mind. It almost describes an alian mentality; As if big brother or his concept is made to destroy humans!!! The story was written in 1948 describing the time of big brother in Oqyania in 1984, in the future. The world was controlled by Oqyania (in London), Orasia and Eastasia. It was mainly about Winston who was a simple member in the Party, by force, not by his will!! An orphan who lost his family cause of the party, and has diffuse foggy memories about good warm moments with his mum, and little sister who disappear suddenly! The author was genious in writing this, not only to warn us from the communism at that time in 1948, but also in telling us how every thing can be a misconception or inception! The love story between Winston and Julia could not last, of course, as u would expect. There are no surprises here, and if the author finishes his story with a different ending, may be less depressing than what we got, then it would be a dissappointment too ! I think, no matter, the darkness I saw, the apathy and indifference I experienced while reading it, just thinking that this novel was written will make me always not giving up. When I see all these people with brain wash around me, those who dont have a will, those who are deprived, or those who are just miserable by others, I know that they find a way to live, to survive, and transmit their hidden seeds of fighting spirit into the stars, or dust, or new future genes! I read the novel in Arabic, and I think the translation was very good, as I did not feel any interruption in the flow of words, or even the poetic expressions used especially by the internal monlogue of Winston. I guess, every one should have a different way how this story should end!
Just one thing about torture: it was so described in details that it creeps u and u wish u just kill yourself instead of all this. I wonder how many totalist systems used these torture technique til our modern time by all kinds of regimes. I wonder how humans created torture, and how they became so creative in it, in destroying themsleves. Amazing to see how the leaders make the war as good way to step on the dignity and dreams of the ordinary people, so that the leaders get always safe. When the lower class loses all intellect just to find a way to feed the mouth, and when the middle class brag about the previlages, the tiny previlages they have,this is how revolutions are terminated before they start!
I wish I could write more, but I am honest when I say: I am devastated !(less)

6 likes · like · see review

topics	posts	views	last activity
Did Winston love Julia?	13	126	May 23, 2013 09:19am
Politics and the English Language	1	33	May 19, 2013 03:22am
What can a teenager learn from 1984?	20	351	May 17, 2013 07:40pm

title link	preview: 1984
avg rating	preview: 1984 Goodreads rating: 4.06 (915562 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5475.1984?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328341775l/5475.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5475.1984?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]1984 by George Orwell[/url]

1984 (Bloom's Guides)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (414)

Videos About This Book

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About George Orwell

Books by George Orwell

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About 1984

Quotes from 1984