Suman Roy 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.

Suman Roy Because you were probably expecting a story with deep characterizations of both the world and the people all wrapped in a sharp plot.

While the world-b…moreBecause you were probably expecting a story with deep characterizations of both the world and the people all wrapped in a sharp plot.

While the world-building is very detailed and intricate, the plot and writing style is incredibly dull and dreary. the blandness of the characters might be problematic to some, but that part worked for me as it makes sense that everyone looses their self-identity and personality in a world that is so sterile and controlled.

The reason people are so fond of this book, is the same reason that Ayn Rand's books are famous: they aren't stories, they are political manifestos. And in that sense it is brilliant.

The ideas and themes in this novel are not subtext but just text. Bringing those ideas to the front makes for dull story-telling but exceptional point-making.

A point, I should point out, which is even more relevant today.(less)

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