Book Review: 1984 by George Orwell

‘1984 a novel’

George Orwell

Rupa Publications

ISBN: 978-81-291-1611-6

George Orwell (Eric Artur Blair) (1903-50) born in Motihari, present day Bihar, India and educated in England, is a writer author par excellence and has produced some classic works like Animal Farm (1945) and Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949). Through his novel 1984, Orwell has highlighted the perils of a totalitarian or authoritarian state.

The story revolves around Winston Smith who lives in Oceania, one of the three super-states remaining in the world after a global war. He works in the Ministry of Truth as an editor revising historical records and articles to make the past conform to the party line and deleting references to the people who have been "vaporized". But he develops hatred towards the govt. and Big Brother and even goes on to love a lady called Julia. He is trapped and exposed of his intentions by the Thought Police and is made to undergo a reform, to “cure” him of his dislike towards Big Brother and also to betray his love. Julia also is subjected to similar treatment and even she betrays him. In the end both accept the betrayal.

There are many interesting and invented concepts which have come up through this novel and have gone on to become realities in their own ways. Concepts like of Big Brother, Room 101, the Thought Police, thoughtcrime, unperson, memory hole (oblivion), doublethink and Newspeak have become phrases for denoting totalitarian authority. Even the adjective "Orwellian" now denotes characteristic of George Orwell's writings especially the novel 1984.

The novel is a classic one and I think in parts it even resembles science fiction. Part of it looks like political literature and not exactly fiction. But in some parts it is even dramatic and grasping. It is one of those novels who have impacted human history and collective thinking. It forces all of us to do self-introspection and also to review if we are helping directly or indirectly any authoritarian government in our respective countries. The novel should be read by one and all, especially before voting age, in order to ensure that our world remains safe and sane for ages to come.

[Rahul Tiwary]