"1984," by George Orwell

CJ's rating:

1. Premise 10
2. Prose 9
3. Plot 10
4. Characters 9
5. Overall 10

Comments (optional - but try to keep it under 3000 words!)

Reading this book as an adult puts a whole new spin on the content. I first read "1984" in 1980 or 1981. At that time the focus was still on the fear of communism. Reagan was in the White House, the Berlin Wall intact and the United States still appeared to be the defender of democracy. I remember classroom discussions along the lines of "well, this one missed the mark." Now with all the "political correctness" (thought police), computers with video cameras in every home (telescreen), fitbits tracking people's every move, and a government (both republican & democrat) that seems bent on forcing everyone to agree with one side or the other I wonder if Orwell was projecting the spread of communism or that of democratic government. One can almost correlate groups in the novel to social groups in America today. Like those wholly dedicated to the Party (young Republicans & tea party) who wave the flag and are radical to a fault with no regard for humanity.
_________________________________________________________________

FM's rating:

1. Premise 10
2. Prose 10
3. Plot 9
4. Characters 9
5. Overall 10

Comments (optional - but try to keep it under 3000 words!)

This book is everything its reputation implies.  It’s a good look at the logical outcome of political processes that were emerging during the time Orwell wrote it, and has since been referred to countless times as a cautionary tale pointing to where we may be headed today.  When I posted the books for this month on Facebook, it was with a meme that showed a picture of this book with the text, “This was meant to be a warning, not a guide.”  Upon re-reading the book, it becomes chillingly clear that that was much more than just a clever dig at our current “leaders” in Washington.  Many of the details in the book parallel current events more and more every year, not the least of which is the concept of perpetual warfare designed to deplete a populace’s resources so that life doesn’t get too comfortable for the “proles” - to keep them from paying attention to what’s really going on.  It's working.  Yes, this book is more important than ever; and a first rate reading experience in the bargain.

Here’s the July line-up!

“The Forever War,” by Joe Haldeman [7/4]
“Naked In Death,” by J. D. Robb [7/11]
“The Scarlet Letter,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne [7/18]
“A Small Death in the Great Glen,” by A. D. Scott [7/25]

(As always, if there are any books you’d like to recommend for the next month, please do so!)