Nineteen Eighty-Four (Collector's Edition) (Laminated Hardback with Jacket)

By George Orwell

Book Overview

Collector's Edition Laminated Hardback with Jacket

In Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell presents a dystopian vision of a totalitarian future where the Party, led by Big Brother, exerts complete control over every aspect of life. The protagonist, Winston Smith, lives in Oceania, where history is constantly rewritten, individuality is suppressed, and thoughtcrime is punishable by death. Orwell's narrative follows Winston's quiet rebellion as he begins to question the Party's oppressive rule and embarks on a dangerous love affair with Julia. However, their resistance leads to betrayal, and Winston undergoes brutal re-education at the hands of the Party, ultimately losing his sense of self in Orwell's chilling portrayal of absolute power and control.

George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four is historically significant as it introduced concepts that have become essential to discussions of authoritarianism, surveillance, and individual freedom. Published in 1949, the novel served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked government power, particularly in the aftermath of World War II and amid growing concerns over totalitarian regimes. Terms like "Big Brother," "thoughtcrime," and "doublethink" became integral to popular and political discourse, symbolizing oppressive oversight and the manipulation of truth. Orwell's work has continued to resonate, influencing discussions on privacy, censorship, and state control, as societies grapple with issues Orwell foresaw in the digital age.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1998621855
• ISBN13: 9781998621859
• Release Date: November 2024
• Publisher: Revive Classics
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Important picture on which to reflect on current events

As a high school English teacher, this is one of the classics that ignited the most thought-provoking discussions in class. I would sit back and let students run the seminar, and I went home having been newly inspired by what Orwell is communicating. A bit frightening considering today’s events, but a must-read, especially now.

Deviates are corrected for their own good

In a society that has eliminated many imbalances, surplus goods, and even class struggles, there are bound to be deviants; Winston Smith is one of those. He starts, due to his inability to doublethink, with thought crime. This is in a society that believes the thought is as real as the deed. Eventually, he graduates through a series of misdemeanors to illicit s-e-x and even plans to overthrow the very government that took him in as an orphan. If he gets caught, he will be sent to the "Ministry of Love," where they have a record of 100% cures for this sort of insanity. They will even forgive his past indiscretions. Be sure to watch the three major movies made from this book: 1984 (1954) Peter Cushing is Winston Smith 1984 (1956) Edmond O'Brien is Winston Smith Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) John Hurt is Winston Smith

Must Read

1984 is one of those rare books that leaves a lasting impact long after you turn the final page. George Orwell’s dystopian vision of a world controlled by surveillance, censorship, and propaganda is disturbingly powerful—and still eerily reflective of modern-day issues.

A grim warning.

This is a look at what a totalarian society could be. It's truly grim to see the universe of 1984 develop as you read, and look at it through a modern lens. There's a lot of concepts in the book that have shocking parallels to some of our technology and methods today, and it's something to think on. In spite of the dystopia presented, it's written in a very entertaining way, and it makes the book a challenge to put down. It's not meant to be prophetic, but serve as a warning about those who necessarily seek power.

An ominous look into a not so far off future, a tale of warning.

Certainly lives up to it's reputation in terms of story. While there may be some mild lows in the story you can't help but having a feeling of being on edge as the main character goes about his daily life. A definite tale of caution as to what could be if too much power were in the wrong hands and the inescapable doom that will become of everyone. Some instances will have you thinking that would never happen in a million years, others, will rattle you at the uncanny similarities to today's society. Well written and not too hard to read, I found myself reading chapter after chapter rooting for the main character and hoping he triumphs over each little adversity he encounters. And the ending lit a fervor and hope in me that what happens in this book never comes to pass.

This is why I love dystopian fiction!

This book is so good, it reminds me why I love science fiction, and especially dystopian fiction. Scary how relevant it feels to today.

A Relevant Masterpiece

I sit roughly 20-25 pages from finishing this book and i am dumbfounded by the predictions made by Orwell. The man outlined a dystopic hell that unfortunately reflects much of our society today. This book is essential reading in my mind, while it may be rough at a few points (notably towards the end of Part 2), it still paints such a vivid picture of the horrors of fascist, totalitarian regimes and their effects on the victims forced to live through them. Orwell writes in this informative, hard hitting, critical prose through Winston from time to time, leading to these beautifully hateful passages of scathing criticism for Oceania. Its in these moments where 1984 really hits its stride of making you feel the hate for The Party, and Big Brother, and Oceania and whatever else Winston rants about. It's in these moments when 1984 truly cements itself as a classic piece of literature. (8/10) The book has many standout quotes, but I'll leave you with my favorite and the one that convinced me to finally buy and read it, "Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been re-written, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street and building has been re-named, every date has been altered. And this process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except and endless present in which the party is always right"

Timeless classic

This is a wonderful, although depressing, book. I bought it for my granddaughter for Christmas because it was on her list. However, I did not pay attention to the rating as far as scolastic rating and it is far too simple for her. That is my only problem with the book. I do not recall if that was clearly explained in the ordering process. But that has nothing to do with the story which is amazing. It was much more alarming when I first read it in 1962, however, than it is now.

Deviates corrected for their own good

In a society that has eliminated many imbalances, surplus goods, and even class struggle, there are bound to be deviates; Winston Smith is one of those. He starts out, due to his inability to doublethink, with thoughtcrime. This is in a society that believes a thought is as real as the deed. Eventually he graduates through a series of misdemeanors to illicit sex and even plans to overthrow the very government that took him in as an orphan. If he gets caught, he will be sent to the "Ministry of Love" where they have a record of 100% cures for this sort of insanity. They will even forgive his past indiscretions. Be sure to watch the three different movies made from this book: 1984 (1954) Peter Cushing is Winston Smith 1984 (1956) Edmond O'Brien is Winston Smith Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) John Hurt is Winston smith 1984 Actors: Edmond O'Brien, Jan Sterling

This Book is Awesome!

In a time when the government has enough power to control the past, present and future, in a time where you don't even have the right to think freely, in a time when the government can see and hear your every move, how can you fight to free yourself? 1984 by George Orwell is a classic novel which describes the journey of one person and his struggle to gain freedom of body and mind. Winston, a middle aged man lives as most others do, controlled by the supreme leader known as "Big Brother" and the political party supporting him. The party is powerful enough to control the past and therefore shape and create the future. As a lower level employee for the Ministry of Truth, (one of three regions in the party) Winston is required to rewrite articles and printings which contradict any declarations made by the party. While he knows that he is indeed rewriting the past, he is only slowly coming to the realization that the party and "Big Brother" are merely seeking power and supremacy. This is an amazing story which kept me hooked right from the beginning. Orwell has seen into the future of our society and shown us what our world could be like when a government has too much power. You are able to jump into Winston's mind and begin to feel the same hatred and resentment towards Big Brother as he does. I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a crazy story with many ups and downs that literally keeps you guessing until the last sentence. Remember, Big Brother is watching you!