Classically Speaking...

Nov. 14, 2005

1984

So Dh and I finally managed to start reading 1984. Yes, it took that long for the audio book to get into the library.
And it took less than a couple of minutes to entirely freak the two of us out!
Firstly, I have to explain the audio book. The only time DH had 'free' that he was willing to 'read' along with me, was his ride in the car. So hence, the audio book (plus he apparently hates fiction).
Now, everywhere we look, we see refereces to 'Big Brother' and spot the similarities to Orwell's world with alarming frequency.
Read the book people... and prepare to be scared!

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Comments

Nov. 14, 2005 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jayfromcleveland

I've read 1984 three times in my life, the last time during that year. I was taking Latin in college at the time, and on April 4, 1984, I shared with the class that that was the only date given in the book, the day Winston Smith began his journal. My Latin prof was double-plus ecstatic that I pointed that out to him and the class.

I decided then that the real world of 1984 was a happy version of Orwell's world. People weren't as poor and downtrodden, but they were gladly manipulated and propagandized to take their cues from the telescreen. And it becomes more clear all the time that the media is doing a double-plus-good job of dumbing down our culture. Surely we really will be total pawns by the target year 2050. Thanks for your post!

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Nov. 14, 2005 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jayfromcleveland

BTW, no offense, but I always found the ironic oxymoron "audio book" to be very Orwellian!

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Nov. 14, 2005 - No offense taken :)

Posted by spinneretta

I also have found that to be the case with the media... there will be more on 1984... I am just waiting for my DH to catch up with me ;)

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Nov. 15, 2005 - Great read!

Posted by Dy

I can't say I "enjoyed" it, but it was good. One the boys will be reading when they hit that stage. But yes, it can creep you out. I imagine it's gonna do a number of the hubby, if he's anything like I am. :-) Have you read Farenheit 451 yet? Another good one. Particularly hits nicely on revisionist history and how deeply it can affect society.

Happy reading!
Dy

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Nov. 15, 2005 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>

Posted by

See... I remember starting fahrenheit 451... (I'm not so sure I can *spell* it though LOL)... and the destruction of the books really got to me... so I dont recall if I finished it... I'll put it in perspective for you. I read 1984 about 15 years or more ago as a kid. I was about the same age when I read the other... my memory has been through two pregnancies since, so I blame them ;)

Edited by spinneretta on Nov. 15, 2005 at 7:43 AM

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