Marcel answers “Why do people rate this book so high? ...”

Wilma asked this question about 1984:

Why do people rate this book so high? Surely I am missing something.

Marcel it depends what you are reading it as
a) it's a dystopia and not pleasant to read b) following from 'a)' even the main character isn't really a nice c…moreit depends what you are reading it as
a) it's a dystopia and not pleasant to read b) following from 'a)' even the main character isn't really a nice character or a hero type. so if you are after a book with a positive outlook, surely not your thing. BUT I think it portrays human being very well (unfortunately :) )
b) it's ab book about fascism (it's less SciFi than political / social commentary I think) and as such it is excellent (not only regarding when it was written (1948) but also today)
c) I think its strength lies in its worldbuilding (again politically, socially and economically but also to a certain degree technically)
d ) finally, the most amazing aspect for me is the New Speak Appendix. I could just read Orwell's thought about how language can be used to influence human thinking. Which again is so relevant today...
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Yavanna Cubas Callero Yes, yet there was this great book about Nazi language already published when he started writing called the third reich language which looks like a gr ...more
Jan 11, 2021 03:02PM · flag

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