Book Review: 1984: George Orwell

About the author:

George Orwell, the writer who has written some of the best books in the 20th century which include animal farm and 1984.

1984: George Orwell

Summary:

"1984" is about authoritarian society.
The story revolves around Winston Smith who is fierce, curious, thinking person; challenges the orthodox society and thinks out of the box; keeps learning about how society works and why it is this way only in spite of great hurdles in the way.
All the party members are under constant surveillance ever since he/she wakes up till the night, even during the sleep via telescreen, cameras and microphone all the time.
The situation is so extreme that the government even tries to control the thinking of the citizens.
In the hierarchical pyramidal structure of the society, the superior Big Brother controls everything.
Language is the carrier of thoughts. The writer elaborates the way language is moulded to the grassroots level eradicating the words used to express the opposite views.

It seems to be appealing to me as some of the signs of fascism are rising slowly in our society and it would help to realise what the future holds.

One of the lines that I like:
"Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two equals four. If that is granted, all else follows." ‑ Winston Smith

Why you should read it?

• To peak into what the authoritarian society would be like.
• To understand how one should stick with his thoughts no matter whatever the situation might be.
• Personally, I realise the importance of emotions and human values in human life and society.
• This will surely help you realise "the big picture".
• It elaborates some of the extremely radicalised ideas.

Is it really hard to read?

Initially around 400-page English book might seem hard one to read but that's not the case. Once you start the reading, you continue until the last page pops up.

How it resembles today's situation in India?

• To some extent, some of the propaganda of Hinduism spread on large scale seems to be like manipulated communism in the book.
• Personal surveillance systems not in India but worldwide especially in a country like China, in India the govt is trying to implement it. Although some news reports suggest that these systems were utilised during Anti-CAA protests. Here is the link to the news report elaborating how these systems are used in recent times.

https://m.huffingtonpost.in/entry/aadhaar-national-social-registry-database-modi_in_5e6f4d3cc5b6dda30fcd3462?ncid=other_twitter_cooo9wqtham&utm_campaign=share_twitter

• The government is trying to rewrite history too. Politically via their idol worship of Savarkar over Gandhi and Nehru and also reaching the masses via Bollywood. And I don't want to add to your misery but just for awareness,
• The mainstream media, to a very large extent, seem to be like the propaganda tool just like telescreen.

Sometimes it feels as if this is the rise of another Big Brother especially when I see blind bhakts following alt-right ideologies without rational thinking. But the hopes still exist and are trying to bring out the change.

Some other useful links that might be useful:

• Book Review: "Permanent Record" by Edward Snowden

https://daredavil01.blogspot.com/2019/10/permanent-record.html?m=1

• Book Review: "Animal Farm" by George Orwell

https://sanket001.tumblr.com/post/190337973732/animal-farm-by-george-orwell-the-best-book-i

Overall, a great fiction novel how the authoritarian society would be.

#A_must_read

P.S.: I have read the pdf copy of the book.

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Thank u.
Regards,
Sanket Tambare,
Email: sanket.tambare@pm.me