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‘That’s the horrid thing. One has no choice, and yet one must live through it exactly as if one had.��

Sandra Newman’s Julia is a reimagining of Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four from the perspective of the often overlooked Julia. This novel takes that cardboard cut-out of a character and breathes vibrant, rebellious life into her, transforming her from a mere footnote in Winston’s bleak narrative to a fully fleshed-out protagonist with her own agency, intelligence, and deeply intriguing inner life. Newman has taken Orwell's world and re-spun it with a feminist flair, giving us a Julia who is not only surviving in Oceania but is also, in her own way, fighting back. In the era of Greek mythology retellings (that I absolutely adore), this is a breath of fresh air.

What I adored most about Julia is how Newman peels back the layers of life in Oceania, revealing a world that feels both eerily familiar and freshly unsettling. While Winston was forever tangled in his cerebral webs, Julia is out there, in the thick of it, navigating the grimy realities of Airstrip One with a shrewd pragmatism. Newman’s depiction of the women’s hostel, the murky black markets, and the grim daily grind of Outer Party life is so vivid you can almost smell the Victory Gin. It’s as if Newman took Orwell’s blueprint and scribbled all over it in the most delightful, rebellious way possible.

Without spoiling too much, let me just say that Newman doesn’t shy away from upending the original narrative. She takes some bold liberties, reinterpreting key moments, particularly that bone-chilling scene in Room 101. And Julia! Oh, Julia! She’s not just a passive participant in Winston’s story. No, she’s a cunning survivor, playing the game with a level of complexity that Winston could only dream of. This Julia isn’t just in it for the thrill of the rebellion, she’s got a plan, a purpose, and she’s not going down without a fight.

The writing is sharp, erudite, and crackling with energy. Newman’s prose is a joy to read, full of clever turns of phrase and sly winks at the reader. It’s a novel that respects Orwell’s work but isn’t afraid to play with it, to twist it into something new and provocative. Some might call it fan fiction, but I say it’s a brilliantly executed reimagining, a companion piece that stands on its own while also casting new light on the original.

So, if you’re a die-hard Orwell fan, ready to revisit the world of Nineteen Eighty-Four with fresh eyes, Julia is an absolute must-read. It’s daring, it’s inventive, and it’s bound to keep you thinking.