1984, George Orwell
Wow, was this a “gimme” or what? If you know anything about me at all, you
knew this one would be on the list.
Almost everybody is familiar with 1984
and its all-aware concept of “Big Brother” which is bandied about more than
ever these days, but most people have never actually read the book. That’s a shame, because if there is one piece
of fiction that everyone should read, it’s 1984. I’ve read it three times, and I’m still
amazed at how many things Orwell nailed, and how many other things appear to
still be in the process of being hammered as we speak.
From the slogans and the Ministries to Thoughtcrime,
Newspeak, Doublethink, perpetual war, instigated hate, memory holes and more,
the parallels between this quirky little book and the modern day world we live
in today are incredible.
Thirty years ago it all still seemed a little
silly. Now? Not so much.
(also: Brave New World; Fahrenheit 451; Alas, Babylon; One Second After; The Road;
The Giver; Gathering Blue; Life as We Knew It; Anthem, On the Beach)
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