Book review by Sandra Cañibano (2avm)

Nineteen eighty-four, by George Orwell


Winston Smith was an adherent of a Party called Ingsoc, whose leader was called “The Big Brother”. However, he soon realises that he is against the ideas followed by that Party. That is why he starts to write a secret diary in which he shows all his thoughts and feelings, although he doesn’t know who he is writing it for. The problem is that everything is being controlled by the “Thought Police”. In this way, there are numerous microphones and cameras recording everybody’s movements and words. Everything is like a dictatorship, in which, for example, you cannot have any kind of feelings: even your own children can betray you. Suddenly, Winston Smith falls in love with Julia, a woman who has the same thoughts as him, and have clandestine meetings.



How surprising Nineteen eighty-four is! What I really dislike about it is the beginning. It really puts you off and gives the impression that the book is going to be absolutely boring and incomprehensible. There is also a part of the book that attaches another book, so it is a bit tough to read it.

Nevertheless, things turn out to be just the opposite. As the novel progresses you get hooked and feel the urge to read it from cover to cover. It is the love story between Winston and Julia -and all that it entails- what I like most about the book .

In conclusion, I definitely recommend it, because it makes you think things over, which I think is a requirement every book should have.