Julia

De: Sandra Newman

Narrado por: Louise Brealey

London, chief city of Airstrip One, the third most populous province of Oceania. It's 1984 and Julia Worthing works as a mechanic fixing the novel-writing machines in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. Under the ideology of IngSoc and the rule of the Party and its leader Big Brother, Julia is a model citizen - cheerfully cynical, believing in nothing and caring not at all about politics. She routinely breaks the rules but also collaborates with the regime whenever necessary. Everyone likes Julia. A diligent member of the Junior Anti-Sex League (though she is secretly promiscuous) she knows how to survive in a world of constant surveillance, Thought Police, Newspeak, Doublethink, child spies and the black markets of the prole neighbourhoods. She's very good at staying alive.

But Julia becomes intrigued by a colleague from the Records Department - a mid-level worker of the Outer Party called Winston Smith - when she sees him locking eyes with a superior from the Inner Party at the Two Minutes Hate. And when one day, finding herself walking toward Winston, she impulsively hands him a note - a potentially suicidal gesture - she comes to realise that she's losing her grip and can no longer safely navigate her world.

Seventy-five years after Orwell finished writing his iconic novel, Sandra Newman has tackled the world of Big Brother in a truly convincing way, offering a dramatically different, feminist narrative that is true to and stands alongside the original. For the millions of readers who have been brought up with Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, here, finally, is a provocative, vital and utterly satisfying companion novel.

©2023 Sandra Newman (P)2023 Sandra Newman

At first I thought it was going long…but, oh, that ending!

At first I thought it was going long…but, oh, that ending! Big Brother is …

Wow. Erie.

The connections and different pov. I got bored in the first third but then it picked up and wow. Unexpected and I’m just stunned and blinking over here lol

magnificent

I can't believe I'm writing this, but this was better than 1984, a book that I revere. And the narrator was one of the best I've listened to. She deserves an award for this performance.

Another female romance?

Skipping through the first few hours after realizing this is just another female “romance” novel.
Not like the original where that subject was there but only in the background.
Refund please?

So Good!!

So good!! 1984 is one of my favorite books. Newman shows us how the story unfolded for Julia. I LOVE reading a retelling of a classic, in this case a side character. During the retelling of the classic Winston and Julia scenes from 1984, Newman is true to Orwell's original while also showing us what Julia is thinking and feeling. Newman did such a great job with theses classic scenes that I felt like I was coming home to Winston's apartment over the shop. Newman also takes the opportunity to explore other aspects of life in Oceana specifically the working and living situations for the females of Airstrip One.

If you have not read 1984, do it, then read this.

The other side of the coin

Excellent and haunting point of view shift for 1984. Julia’s story is tragically realized in an expertly crafted companion to Orwell’s masterpiece. Wonderfully read.

Fantastic.

Perfectly interwoven. As someone whose favorite book was 1984. This was a superbly written and narrated novel.

My favorite book of 2023, captivating narration

I listened to 1984 immediately before listening to Julia. A refresher is a good idea for maximum understanding. I was blown away by this companion novel. I also found the narration to be exquisite. Having just finished, I'm still sitting with the material. A masterpiece, especially given the likely guidelines from the Orwell estate.

Good Dystopian Tale

Interesting analog to Orwell’s 1984. Can be read as a stand alone book but I found it helpful to read 1984 first as there are some references that would be better understood. This tells Julia Worthy’s side of the story and delves deeper into Orwell’s world of Big Brother. If you like 1984 you will enjoy Julia’s story.

refreshing new take while still being true to the events of the original telling

It was FANTASTIC seeing this character who was a flat prop and sounding board for the main character's misery become a PERSON with a story and feelings and people in her life. Julia's commentary on Winston is also A+.
The scenes in the Ministry of Love were extremely challenging to listen to, but truly they should be. Be advised there are gruesome and vivid descriptions of torture.
The end was chilling. I am so glad I picked this book up.