1984

George Orwell's novel 1984 is set in England, torn apart by wars, civil conflict and revolutions, where Winston Smith lives in Airstrip One. The Party, led by Big Brother, suppresses individuality, while the Thought Police monitor thoughts and use telescreens, cameras and secret microphones to identify citizens. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting records and discarding original documents. He starts a secret journal criticising the Party and meets Julia, who shares his contempt. They join the Brotherhood, an underground society intending to wage war against the Party. The book explores a negative utopia, surveillance, control and resistance.

Why You Should Read?

• Explore a dictatorial society where the Party suppresses individuality and the Thought Police monitor thoughts.
• Follow Winston Smith as he rewrites records at the Ministry of Truth and starts a secret journal.
• Meet Julia and follow her secret love affair with Winston in blue-collar neighbourhoods without telescreens.
• Understand the Brotherhood's intention to wage war against the Party and the constant watch of Big Brother.

About the Author

George Orwell is the pen name under which Eric Arthur Blair wrote. Blair was English and worked as a critic, journalist, essayist, poet and novelist. His writing shows clear prose, social criticism, resistance to totalitarianism and support for democratic socialism. He is best known for Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, and he also produced poetry, fiction, literary criticism and polemical journalism. In 2008, The Times named him the second-greatest British writer since 1945.