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3.75★

Read: 12/11/2025

The Novel 1984 seems culturally ingrained in our lives here in Britain. We use terms like Orwellian to describe certain types of Film, TV and Books: almost in a 'Newspeak' kind of way. Despite being written and published over 75 years ago its enduring power lies in how eerily it mirrors our modern anxieties and, indeed, lives in certain countries around the world.

The story follows an ordinary man named Winston Smith, who is a member of The Outer Party in Oceania: where Big Brother's regime controls history, language and thought. Winston's quiet rebellion — his diary, his love for Julia and his search for truth — leads him down a path that is both hopeful and devastating in equal measure.

The real draw of the Novel is Orwell's brilliant world building: the repressive atmosphere, the constant suffocating surveillance and Newspeak create a chilling study of political power and the eternal fragility of individual thought. It's unfortunate that the second act gets bogged down in dense exposition that grinds the pace to an almost standstill. Also it can be quite difficult to follow but that is by design as Orwell makes us, the reader, feel some of that isolation that poor Winston feels.

Even so, its an essential read that serves as more than a political warning. It's a profound commentary on humanities need for truth, love and independent thought. It has stood the test of time and remains as relevant as ever in 2025.

very interesting and enlightening insights on a totalitarian state and fascism, but slightly demeaning towards women, Julia is made to seem airheaded and unaware compared to Winston