Synopsis: ‘Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past’
Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.
Title: 1984
Author: George Orwell
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780141393049
Rating: 
WAR IS PEACE.
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY.
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
This is truly an amazing and absolutely terrifying novel – these words have been sounding in my head since reading it and I still can’t get over them. 1984 is gripping and very easy to get into; I was immediately enthralled by Winston Smith’s dilemma and couldn’t stop reading till I found out what happened.
This is a great speculative novel commenting on human society and relationships. The story has, in my opinion, dated well; it’s actually quite frightening how similar modern society has become in certain ways.
1984 isn’t an easy book to read, it projects the worst sense of hopelessness and dread that I think I’ve ever read about. It might be one of the most compelling and terrifying books I’ve read; forget any crappy horrors, this book will shake you to your core. And I’m not even going to start on Room 101.
1984 is a book that I will be reading again, and again. Orwell is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I’ve already purchased Animal Farm to read.
A Literary Mind 
I don’t know if you’re into non-fiction, but Orwell’s essays are equally masterful. I highly recommend the two volume collection: Facing Unpleasant Facts, and All Art is Propaganda.
They actually sound incredibly interesting – I’ll put them on the TBR list, but I am banned from buying anything for the next 20 books so it may be a while before I actually get round to reading it!
Thanks for the recommendation!