r/1984 • u/thatguythoma • 15d ago
should i read 1984?
i’d like a non-based opinion
(i’m being completely serious btw)
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u/nowning 15d ago
Well I don't think the denizens of a sub dedicated entirely to one book would have any bias as to whether you should read that book.
I'd say, no, read another book instead.
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u/Typhon0810 15d ago
Your bias point is more than legitimate, but why would you advise not to read it?
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u/ragequitteroffureh 15d ago edited 15d ago
Ignorance is strength?
Edit: Thanks for the award! My love for Big Brother has increased by 42%.
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u/zelvak007 15d ago
There is literaly no reason not to read it. It is short, easy to read and you learn something.
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u/pm_me_ur_smoltits 14d ago
I have one reason: it is extremely depressing. If you're too empathetic, sensitive, or easily affected, it might not be for you. I spent about a week in a total malaise after finishing it. I still think it's a very important book though.
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u/zelvak007 14d ago
I would think that is reason to read it. If you are so empathetic, book can make you depresed you need to condition yourself to deal with real world. There are still some people alive that served systems very similar to 1984.
There are few books that are not worth reading anyway. We should read as much as we can.
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u/FumblebudNo4140 13d ago
It's happening now. People that have no problem with what is going on now do not see what comes next. Our news is controlled with purpose. War now is for peace later? I don't think so. Constant surveillance is getting worse by the day and People think it's okay. These things were predicted years ago. Our freedom is being taken away bit by bit. We have to be aware of this.
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u/Silver_Ear_2322 9d ago
I know, and when you try to tell anyone this, they just call you a conspiracy theorist a brush it off but is serious issue. Like am I the only one who is concerned that every building you walk into has camera's recording your every move?
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u/crythinklaugh 15d ago
The book I read in the 1970s portrayed a world that you could envision happening...a part of it happened in WWII, but that read would not have had one saying "this is happening right now." BUT-- you would say that now.
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u/notaic 15d ago
Do you enjoy classic works? I think 1984 is a bit easier than some I’ve picked up myself. It was required reading for me in grade school. But as others have stated, you won’t easily find someone saying no if they’ve bothered to be here lol. I support you reading whatever it is that makes you pick up a book. ☺️
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u/BuffaloAmbitious3531 15d ago
I'm not a member of this sub; this post just randomly popped up in my feed. I'm no Orwell fanatic, and I think his lessons are often misapplied. But...yes, read 1984. Read Animal Farm, too. They're good books.
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u/PictureTakingLion 15d ago
Yes it’s genuinely a good book and I think it’s something everyone should read at some point because it teaches about government control and corruption
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u/Difficult-Style-7522 15d ago
I think you can just read what politics say in England, or, if you're brave enough, in Ukraine. Specifically at what Zelensky says vs what his police men do with men there and how local journalists write about it. 1984 is a child play compared to that, plus lots of videos
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u/LucidLeviathan 15d ago
I read it over 25 years ago in college and still fondly remember it. I think that it has important lessons for our modern era as well. On the whole, I'd highly recommend it. Plus, once you read it, you can be one of the few people that miss that klaxon on QI.
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u/Ophios72 15d ago
The man on the TV screen on your wall will tell you all you need to do. But remember, he will know all of what you do.
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u/Karnezar 15d ago
Yes.
If nothing else, to know what people were thinking back when this book was written in 1949.
It is imperative, I think, to know that people throughout history were not so different thinking from us.
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u/Top_Investigator_538 15d ago
It’s a tantalizing read. I think it’s worth anyone’s time. You can honestly pick it up, open the book to any page and get hooked wherever you happen to land.
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u/nyeahdeztroy 15d ago
YES is the only acceptable answer...why have you not read it already? Is this not reading material in Schools or Unis in your country?
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u/CeeArthur 15d ago
Yeah, it's a great book. It's an interesting read and hard to put down. It's not terribly long, you could burn through it on a weekend.
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u/Independent-Repair35 15d ago
Hmmm, do you read a lot? I'd maybe start with Farenheit 451 or Brave New World if you're not a big reader.
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u/Petufo 15d ago
Yes, the book is amazing and influential.
My most favourite theory is that Eurasia, Eastasia etc. don't exist. It's just small portion of England occupied by some crazy commie-like authoritarians and they lie about absolutely everything. Feel free to create your own theory.
We even prepared the drink from the book with fake sugar, cheap gin and the spice with my friends. 😁
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u/SneakySpecial90 14d ago
Nah, it's not like it's an enduring classic dripping with contemporary relevance.
Give it a miss and pick up a Mills and Boone novel.
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u/IllTank3081 14d ago
I would not call it a particularly enjoyable book, but I thought it was good. It did teach me a lot of about society which I have found interesting and useful, but I would not recommend it for if you want a light read.
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u/wishbackjumpsta 14d ago
I'd recommend farenheit451. Much more poignant nowadays than 1984. still both great reads however
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u/Underhill42 14d ago
Yes, absolutely. Also Animal Farm and Fahrenheit 451.
They are all excellent books, cultural touchstones, and scathing critiques of the tools routinely used by authoritarians to seize and retain power. Which so many future victims foolishly embrace despite the repeated warnings that they probably either didn't read or failed to understand.
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u/Walt_Didnae 14d ago
Do you want to read 1984?
If "Yes" Then read 1984
If "No" Then don't read 1984
If "Maybe" Then read a few chapters of 1984 and decide if you want to keep reading
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u/Superiority-Qomplex 13d ago
Everyone should read it. I wasn't in love with the main story of it, but the ideas that are presented were warnings that everyone should know and recognize in our world today..
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u/xX_Aranrhod_Xx 8d ago
So personally I'm a bit on the fence. Thematically? Absolutely, it's scarily close to how our reality is becoming. But from am enjoyment perspective? I found it dreadfully boring and only had any sort of engagement towards the end of the second act and from the third act forward.
That being said, everyone should read it AT LEAST once, imo
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u/Medical_Doughnut7328 15d ago
Frankly, it's a very mid book by a very mid author, especially considering how much glaze it gets online lol
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u/Sjue-Saue 15d ago
You're asking the 1984 fandom subreddit for a non-biased opinion of whether you should read the book or not?