book review by Goutziou Marianta
George Orwell’s 1984 is more than just a book. It is a wake-up call disguised as a dystopian novel. Published in 1949, it predicts a future so dark, it still makes readers uneasy today. Orwell doesn’t simply imagine a world ruled by tyranny, he dissects the human mind under it.
The story follows Winston Smith, a quiet man living under the all-seeing eye of Big Brother who is the face of a totalitarian government that rewrites history, monitors every move, and punishes even the slightest thought of rebellion.
What makes 1984 brilliant as well as terrifying is how real it feels. The story comes alive through strong images and captivating narration. The world Orwell describes isn’t just fiction, it is a mirror held up to our own. He writes about telescreens, propaganda, and surveillance decades before smartphones and social media existed. Yet here we are, living in an age where privacy feels optional, truth is flexible, and public opinion can be manipulated overnight. In a way, George Orwell predicted the age of the internet long before it arrived.
Winston’s hopeless fight for freedom turns into a haunting metaphor for modern society. He believes in love, truth, and rebellion, however, the system crushes him anyway. It’s not a happy ending, but that’s exactly the point. 1984 is an example of what happens when people stop questioning, stop caring, and end up becoming human robots that absorb any information they are fed without question.
Beyond its political message, Orwell’s novel also offers deep human insight. You get the chance to explore his complex characters and discover their backgrounds, their fears and their morals. With every page you turn, the more drawn you get into a world that feels chillingly alive. Every page pulls you deeper, until you’re not just reading Winston’s story, but living it.
Personally, 1984 is my all-time favorite novel. It is one of those rare books that leaves you speechless when you finish it and makes you wish you could read it again for the very first time. It truly reshapes your perspective on politics, education, humanity and life itself. Orwell doesn’t just tell a story, he forces you to see the world differently. And once you do, there’s no going back.
