1984

De: George Orwell

Narrado por: Theo Solomon

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 and breaking 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.

©1949 Harcourt Brace and Company. © renewed 1977 by Sonia Brownell Orwell (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Cautionary Classic

Story is a warning against authoritarianism with concepts still relevent today (especially in the US)(writing this is 2025). Narration is also on point. Definitely recommend a listen.

Enlightening story reflective of current times.

George Orwell shows us the dangers of socialism and communism in a society that allows their government to grow out of control.

Narrator ruined the book

The narrators voicing of characters besides Winston (and even Winston at parts) was absolutely atrocious. It was very hard to listen to.

This writing seems so much like today’s world. We are going down the same path.

This book was one which was predicting the future of mankind and has indeed contains some of the very things happening today. The language has changed to be at times unable to be understood. The speech of the young communicating on text messages is one example, the governmental agency aconimes another.

Prescient

Such an important read for every American in 2025. Read. Stay awake! Fight tyrann. Preserve democracy!!!

Review of 1984

Too much reading aloud and not enough story with characters and dialog between characters.

How spot on it is with today’s events

I’ve heard from many people that this is a really good book. It was a little hard to adjust in the beginning, but after time I was able to imagine myself in the book and be able to picture it.
Definitely agree that I will have to do a couple more times just in case I missed any hidden details.

Vincent

too violent for me to enjoy and that's all I wanted to say before you made me add extra words

Absolutely astounding.

Writes like Orwell have vision and that vision is what makes the book a masterpiece. To be able to write a entire universe that is at the same time dystopian but also be parallels to current events is truly a masterpiece

Well performed classic

Well read, and of course, well written. George Orwell’s thinking and thus his writing was so brilliant and thought provoking. A proper classic.