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Federico DN's Reviews > 1984

1984 by George Orwell
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really liked it
bookshelves: almost-fav, dystopia, classics, adapted

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

In ravaged post-apocalyptic future, the world has divided itself into three totalitarian superpowers: Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. The three superstates always in constant never ending war with each other, and relentlessly and mercilessly purging their own population to align them with their current goals. Winston works in the ‘Ministry of Truth� every day revising, rewriting and burning history records to match the ever changing version of history dictated by their all-powerful leader, the Big Brother. Secretly though, deep in his heart Winston hates their cruel leadership, and wishes their defeat. A traitor in thought, his life would be forfeit if someone ever finds out, and there are spies everywhere�

An unforgettable story about the inner strength and inherent weakness of the human spirit, struggling in the most oppressive of worlds. A book that teaches us to love and value freedom, and its costs; to cherish independent thought, and never letting go the fight. I LOVED the secret unfolding relationship with Julia, their quirkiness (view spoiler); and I can’t express my heartbreak and sadness for the ultimate fate of the ever cheerful and loyal Tom Parsons. Gosh! This was a such a dark and grim story, but overall, enormously invaluable.

A timeless masterpiece and one of the founding pillars of dystopian fiction. A must read in life, along with Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World . The holy trinity of dystopia. Highly Recommendable!

After a decade or so my memory is a bit hazy but I think I found the ‘Goldstein book� part quite tedious; hence the four stars. Everything else was just perfect, darkly perfect. I remember enjoying this one immensely back in the day. ‘Animal farm� as well, another absolute masterpiece. Boy I really need to read more Orwell one of these days!

*** The movie Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) is a fantastic adaptation, greatly capturing much of the book’s essence. Some liberties were taken of course, but overall pretty faithful to the original work. Coincidentally it was filmed in 1984! Can you believe it? Talk about brilliant perfect timing! John Hurt was spectacular, in one of his most iconic and remembered performances ever. May the good man rest in peace. Suzanna Hamilton was magnificent too; and Gregor Fisher as Parsons was totally on point., and boy did I hate O’Brien! Fortunately much of the book of Goldstein tediousness was omitted. Not a perfect film mind you, but a great adaptation. An absolute must watch, even if you didn’t read the book.



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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1949] [339p] [Dystopia] [Highly Recommendable] ["If they could make me stop loving you-that would be the real betrayal.”] [“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”]
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★★★★� Animal Farm
★★★★� 1984

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“La guerra es la paz. La libertad es la esclavitud. La ignorancia es la fuerza�

En un devastado futuro post-apocalíptico, el mundo se ha dividido a sí mismo en tres superpoderes totalitarios: Oceanía, Eurasia y Asia Oriental. Los tres superestados siempre uno contra otro en una constante guerra sin fin, y purgando sin descanso y sin piedad su propia población para alinearlos con sus objetivos actuales. Winston trabaja en el ‘Ministerio de la Verdad� todos los días revisando, reescribiendo y quemando registros de historia para que se adecuen a la siempre cambiante versión de la historia dictada por su todopoderoso líder, el Gran Hermano. Aunque secretamente, en lo profundo de su corazón Winston odia su cruel liderazgo, y desea su derrota. Un traidor en pensamiento, su vida estaría perdida si alguien llegara a enterarse, y hay espías por doquier�

Una inolvidable historia sobre la fuerza interna e inherente debilidad del espíritu humano, luchando en el más opresivo de los mundos. Un libro que nos enseña a amar y valorar la libertad, y sus costos; apreciar el pensamiento independiente, y nunca abandonar la lucha. AME el secreto desarrollo de la relación con Julia, su excentricidad (view spoiler); y no puedo ni expresar mi desconsuelo y tristeza por el fin último del fiel y siempre positivo Tom Parsons. ¡Dios! Esta sí que fue una historia oscura y sombría, pero por sobre todo, enormemente invaluable.

Una obra maestra de todos los tiempos y uno de los pilares fundacionales de la ficción distópica. Una lectura obligada de la vida, junto a Fahrenheit 451 y Un Mundo Feliz . La santa trinidad de la distopía. ¡Altamente Recomendable!

Después de una década o más mi memoria es algo nubosa pero creo que la parte del ‘Libro de Goldstein� fue bastante tediosa; por eso las cuatro estrellas. Todo lo demás fue simplemente perfecto, oscuramente perfecto. Recuerdo haber disfrutado inmensamente este libro en su día. ‘Rebelión en la granja� también, otra gigante obra maestra. ¡Creo que necesito leer más de Orwell uno de estos días!

*** La película (1984) es una fantástica adaptación, capturando enormemente mucha de la esencia del libro. Algunas libertades se tomaron por supuesto, pero dentro de todo bastante fiel a la obra original. ¡Coincidentemente fue filmada en 1984! ¿Increíble no? ¡Brillante y perfecta sincronización! John Hurt estuvo espectacular, en una de sus más icónicas y recordadas actuaciones jamás. Que el buen hombre descanse en paz. Suzanna Hamilton estuvo magnífica también; y Gregor Fisher como Parsons totalmente acorde, ¡y por Dios cómo odié a O’Brien! Afortunadamente mucho del tedioso libro de Goldstein fue omitido. No un filme perfecto debo aclarar, pero sí una genial adaptación. Un absoluto deber de ver en la vida, incluso si no leíste el libro.



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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1949] [339p] [Distopía] [Altamente Recomendable] ["Si pueden obligarme a dejarte de amar... esa sería la verdadera traición."] [“Si quieres guardar un secreto, también debes ocultártelo a ti mismo.”]
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Reading Progress

January 1, 2013 – Started Reading
March 12, 2013 – Finished Reading
February 24, 2014 – Shelved

Comments Showing 1-50 of 105 (105 new)


message 1: by Somormujo (last edited Sep 25, 2023 04:16AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Somormujo Excelente reseña Federico !!
Coincido contigo en que es una de esas novelas que debería leerse todo el mundo, sobre todo en los tiempos que corren, donde tantos paralelismos se pueden encontrar a la trama de la novela.
Entre las distopías esenciales, yo también incluiría "El cuento de la criada", aunque aquí mucho más la novela de Margaret Atwood que la serie posterior de TV.
Un saludo y buenas lecturas !! 🙋‍♂�


message 2: by Federico (last edited Sep 25, 2023 04:51AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Somormujo wrote: "Excelente reseña Federico !!
Coincido contigo en que es una de esas novelas que debería leerse todo el mundo, sobre todo en los tiempos que corren, donde tantos paralelismos se pueden encontrar a l..."


Gracias Somormujo! Ah sí escuché mucho de esa, tengo que leer La Criada de Atwood uno de estos días, y después actualizar mi reseña, la Cuatrinidad de la Distopía. Existe Cuatrinidad? Bue no importa sino la invento, siempre me gustó soltar aberraciones literarias en el mundo jaja. Saludos!!


message 3: by Rosh (new) - added it

Rosh This is one of the classics I've yet to read. I kept postponing it as the dystopian setting sounded too scary, until I realised that I've already lived and survived dystopia during the COVID times. :D Definitely pushing it up the TBR ladder after reading your enthusiastic review, Federico!


Somormujo Federico wrote: "Somormujo wrote: "Excelente reseña Federico !!
Coincido contigo en que es una de esas novelas que debería leerse todo el mundo, sobre todo en los tiempos que corren, donde tantos paralelismos se pu..."


Jajaja. Me parece que la trinidad casa poco con el cuatro Federico. Podrías optar por el cuarteto o tal vez por el cuadrado distópico ... Este último podría funcionar bien 🙂


message 5: by Ian (new) - rated it 5 stars

Ian Doubleplusgood review Federico!


message 6: by A. (new) - rated it 4 stars

A. Un libro imprescindible, tan atemporal...en fin, una hermosa reseña Fede. Siempre con buena data de las pelis, genial.
Y así, con ánimo de lunes (es decir, arrastrándome como una babosa) le deseo una buena semana 😉


Federico DN Rosh wrote: "This is one of the classics I've yet to read. I kept postponing it as the dystopian setting sounded too scary, until I realised that I've already lived and survived dystopia during the COVID times...."

Thank you Rosh! If any dystopia is worth it's definitely this one! And best of all nothing YA unlike that lousy Hunger Games series lol.


Federico DN Somormujo wrote: "Federico wrote: "Somormujo wrote: "Excelente reseña Federico !!
Coincido contigo en que es una de esas novelas que debería leerse todo el mundo, sobre todo en los tiempos que corren, donde tantos p..."


Jajajja me gusta Cuarteto Distópico! Aunque Cuatrinidad también. Tal vez use las dos xD


Federico DN Ian wrote: "Doubleplusgood review Federico!"

LOL. That's one perfectly appropriate comment Ian! How did I not see that coming xD? Thank you!


message 10: by Federico (last edited Sep 25, 2023 05:46AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN A. wrote: "Un libro imprescindible, tan atemporal...en fin, una hermosa reseña Fede. Siempre con buena data de las pelis, genial.
Y así, con ánimo de lunes (es decir, arrastrándome como una babosa) le deseo u..."


Un libro sin igual. La peli también lo vale si es que no la vio. Muchísimas gracias estimada Lady A!! Que el lunes le sea leve!


message 11: by P.B. (new)

P.B. Flower 1984 is a masterpiece for me. I am obsessively into sci-fi. Some of the inventions in this book and predictions are eerily accurate.
Great review, as always, Federico


message 12: by Srivalli (new)

Srivalli Rekha Fab review, Federico. This one has been on my TBr for a long time!


message 13: by Shey (new) - rated it 4 stars

Shey Doubleplusgood review, Federico! 😏


Federico DN P.B. wrote: "1984 is a masterpiece for me. I am obsessively into sci-fi. Some of the inventions in this book and predictions are eerily accurate. Great review, as always, Federico "

Thank you P.B.! A masterpiece indeed! So glad you loved it too :), and so true, quite ahead of its time.


message 15: by Federico (last edited Sep 25, 2023 06:29AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Srivalli wrote: "Fab review, Federico. This one has been on my TBr for a long time!"

Thank you Srivalli! It's definitely worth it! I'm positive you'll enjoy it plenty :)


Federico DN Shey wrote: "Doubleplusgood review, Federico! 😏"

LOL. Doubleplusthankyous Shey <3


Karen Fantastic review, Federico!


Karen Ugh. When I write GR comments on my Android, it only keeps the first sentence!!! Recent glitch.

My comment is supposed to say:

Fantastic review Federico! 🙂 On my list to re-read, along with Brave New World and Animal Farm. I read them in high school which was a long time ago.


message 19: by Federico (last edited Sep 25, 2023 06:46AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Karen wrote: "Ugh. When I write GR comments on my Android, it only keeps the first sentence!!! Recent glitch.

My comment is supposed to say: Fantastic review Federico! 🙂 On my list to re-read, along with Brav..."


Thank you Karen! Hope you enjoy freely rereading them again! Not so fond of Farenheit and Brave New World tbh but still. Masterpieces, all of them!


Carmen Great review!


Federico DN Carmen wrote: "Great review!"

Thank you Carmen!


message 22: by Tina (new)

Tina A fabulous review Feddo! This is one I don't recall reading (even in high school!) I've heard it is eerie to read in todays times!!!


message 23: by Dee (new) - rated it 4 stars

Dee (Delighting in the Desert) Great review - such a classic! I'm going to try the retelling next year from Julia's POV, supposedly the Orwell family approved :)


message 24: by Nora (new) - rated it 5 stars

Nora Currie Fantastic review, Federico! I’m so happy that you enjoyed this book!


message 25: by Laura (new)

Laura Great review Federico. This is categorized as dystopian to date but it's eerily familiar today.


message 26: by Joe (new)

Joe Krakovsky Great review, Federico! I will have to revisit this someday as it has been close to 50 years since I read it.


Federico DN Tina wrote: "A fabulous review Feddo! This is one I don't recall reading (even in high school!) I've heard it is eerie to read in todays times!!!"

Thank you Tina! It sadly resembles a lot nowadays with the all seeing eye and cameras filming everything everywhere, and even more in modern dictatorships and populists countries :x


message 28: by Federico (last edited Sep 25, 2023 08:21AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Dee wrote: "Great review - such a classic! I'm going to try the retelling next year from Julia's POV, supposedly the Orwell family approved :)"

Thank you Dee! Oh wow! Never heard of that one. Although I'd be very wary of that. I once read a so called sequel to The Little Prince also supposedly approved by Saint-Exupéry descendants and it was a total bust :x


Federico DN Nora wrote: "Fantastic review, Federico! I’m so happy that you enjoyed this book!"

Thank you Nora! It's a great classic :D


Federico DN Laura wrote: "Great review Federico. This is categorized as dystopian to date but it's eerily familiar today."

Thank you Laura! So true! In a way we are living a modern day dystopia. SCARY :x


message 31: by Federico (last edited Sep 25, 2023 08:24AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Federico DN Joe wrote: "Great review, Federico! I will have to revisit this someday as it has been close to 50 years since I read it."

Thank you Joe! That's one fantastic anniversary worthy of a rereading :)


Alexandra Wonderful review, Federico! I read it a long time ago, and it still stays with me - I could probably quote stuff, too. This is uncanny, but most good books are, in various ways.


message 33: by Areeba (new) - added it

Areeba Wow amazing review!loved it:)


Federico DN Alexandra wrote: "Wonderful review, Federico! I read it a long time ago, and it still stays with me - I could probably quote stuff, too. This is uncanny, but most good books are, in various ways."

Thank you Alexandra! So glad you loved it too! You have a great memory! I can never quote a thing lol. That's why I keep writing these reviews so to at least don't forget completely of what I read xD


Federico DN Areeba wrote: "Wow amazing review!loved it:)"

Thank you Areeba! Amazing book <3


message 36: by Thibault (new)

Thibault Busschots I agree that the movie is quite good. And it's a classic story for a reason. Good review, Federico :)


message 37: by inciminci (new)

inciminci Fantastic review, Fede! I have never seen the movie, but might now that you recommend it.


Federico DN Thibault wrote: "I agree that the movie is quite good. And it's a classic story for a reason. Good review, Federico :)"

Both great, each had their own attractiveness. Thank you Thibault!


Federico DN inciminci wrote: "Fantastic review, Fede! I have never seen the movie, but might now that you recommend it."

A bit dated but still great. Should rewatch it too one of these days. Thank you Inci :) !


message 40: by Dann (new) - rated it 3 stars

Dann Great review! Can't wait to read this one!


Federico DN Dann wrote: "Great review! Can't wait to read this one!"

Thank you Dann! It's worth it, very worth it :)


Vicky "phenkos" After a recent disagreement on the star rating (Mrs Dalloway), it's nice to see that we agree again! Spot on, Federico! 😉


message 43: by Nika (new) - rated it 4 stars

Nika Great review of a great book, Federico!
"This was a such a dark and grim story, but overall, enormously invaluable."
So true.


Federico DN Vicky wrote: "After a recent disagreement on the star rating (Mrs Dalloway), it's nice to see that we agree again! Spot on, Federico! 😉"

I'm only hard on stream of consciousness classics, or poetry, yuck! Thank you Vicky! Glad to know you enjoyed it plenty too :D


Federico DN Nika wrote: "Great review of a great book, Federico!
"This was a such a dark and grim story, but overall, enormously invaluable."
So true."


Such a great classic <3. Thank you Nika :D !


message 46: by Kay (new) - rated it 3 stars

Kay I read this but haven't seen the movie. Will have to make time for it, excellent review!!🤩


Federico DN Kay � wrote: "I read this but haven't seen the movie. Will have to make time for it, excellent review!!🤩"

Thank you Kay! I'm positive you'll like it too :)


bookstories_travels&#x1fa90; Realmente es una lectura escalofriante. Me paso lo mismo cuando lo leí por primera vez con la parte de Goldstein. Pero en la segunda lectura, me pareció que complementaba muy bien todo y ayudaba a introducirse en ese futuro que Orwell nos propone. Gran reseña Federico!!


Debra Fantastic review, Federico!


message 50: by Yun (new) - rated it 4 stars

Yun Great review, Federico! Definitely timeless... it remains relevant today. Glad you're a fan! :)


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