Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four was published in 1949 and is widely regarded as one of the most famous and influential dystopian novels ever written. It has had a significant impact on literature, popular culture, and political discourse due to its iconic portrayal of government surveillance, propaganda, and the erosion of individual freedom under oppression. This is the true U.K. first edition which precedes the American edition. This copy has the green version dust jacket. While the red dust jacket is more often preferred, no actual precedence has been established.
Hardcover. First Edition, First Printing. Octavo, bound in green cloth. London: Secker & Warburg, 1949. Pringle, Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels (1). Burgess, Ninety-Nine Novels. #10440.
Some discoloring to edges of boards, else nearly fine in price-clipped dust jacket that has light shelf wear with a tiny bit of loss at extremities. Nice copy overall.
Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell and published in 1949. It has since become one of the most influential and widely read novels of the 20th century. The book's significance and importance lie in its portrayal of a totalitarian regime and its exploration of themes such as government surveillance, propaganda, thought control, and the erosion of individual freedom. The novel depicts a society ruled by the Party led by Big Brother, in which every aspect of people's lives is controlled, including their thoughts and emotions.
The novel portrays a society under constant government surveillance through devices like telescreens, which monitor citizens' actions and expressions. The Party's aim is to eliminate any form of dissent and independent thinking, creating a population that is completely submissive to the ruling regime.
Language and propaganda are instruments used by the Party to control its citizens. Newspeak is a new language of the Party that seeks to limit the range of thought and expression through the elimination of words and concepts, ultimately, restricting citizens' ability to articulate dissenting ideas. The novel also introduces the concept of "doublethink," which is where individuals are forced to hold contradictory beliefs and accept false information, eroding their ability to discern truth from falsehood.
Orwell's novel highlights the importance of individual freedom and the struggle to preserve one's autonomy in the face of oppressive systems. The protagonist, Winston Smith, rebels against the Party's control, seeking freedom and truth, despite dire consequences in the end.
Nineteen Eighty-Four continues to resonate with readers today, serving as a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of authoritarianism, surveillance, and the erosion of individual liberties. It remains one of the most influential dystopian books ever written.
Basis for a film version that was actually released in 1984. The film received critical acclaim for its faithful adaptation of the novel's themes and atmosphere. It was directed by Michael Radford and starred John Hurt as the protagonist Winston Smith.