1984

By George Orwell

Started in a run-down farmhouse in 1947 and published in June of 1949 (only about 7 months before his death in January of 1950), George Orwell's novel 1984 has cut a deep rivet in the world with its implications both with human nature and with its visualization of the future. That rivet, in my opinion, is the exact kind of change in the world that gives every writer hope that they, too, can do the same someday.

My writing colleague and I chose to read this together, and I'm so glad that we did. As someone who is no stranger to Orwell's style (from reading Animal Farm a while back), Orwell writes in such a way that does not dance around discomfort but rather hits it head-on, choosing to be deliberately direct to make his points clear. He gives his readers a vivid depiction of not just how easy it is to distort perceptions of a group with propaganda until they're permanently warped but also how dangerous a totalitarian regime can be.

While Orwell identified in real life as a self-governing socialist, the theme of power is heavily woven into this tale of a futuristic, dystopian society, creating an underlying message that power is inherently corruptible-- thus, making the point that an equalized utopia is unattainable no matter how we try. In this way, Orwell exposes our weaknesses as a group and as individuals, and that makes this novel something special to behold.

At the same time, this text wavers in pacing in two different areas-- first in the beginning and then in the third quarter. In both areas, Orwell plugs in large amounts of background and explanation, and while fascinating in some regards, it tends to slow the reader down and almost overwhelm in some areas with information overload. A few times I had to go back and reread some lengthy paragraphs to ensure I grasped the meaning of the thought trails.

But for where Orwell slows his structure, he more than compensates with simple brevity and well-constructed scenes. He propels his readers first with curiosity and then with sheer terror as we realize humans have the capacity to do things like this to each other if only given the power.

I recommend this novel to anyone looking for a sick lesson in human nature or a philosophical story they can apply to the world...or, of course, any writer who wants to see what you can do with your book if only you work hard enough to refine its message. (I know it certainly gives me hope, at least.)