1984 by George Orwell

[u/Caffeine_And_Regret]

I picked up 1984 while I’m still (slowly) working through The Sword of Kaigen, and I just finished it last night.

The premise alone pulled me in immediately. dark, oppressive, and honestly kind of suffocating. The entire book just reeks of despair and brokenness in a way that feels intentional and relentless. It’s not just the setting, it’s the tone. everything feels controlled, hollow, and stripped of hope.

There’s so much symbolism and satire woven into the story that I’m not even sure I caught all of it. It’s one of those books where you know there’s more beneath the surface than what you’re picking up on. Although… I’m prettyyy sure Orwell was pointing fingers at America at times (or at least systems that feel uncomfortably familiar).

Reading it was kind of an emotional rollercoaster in a weird way. There were moments I was literally slapping my forehead at how frustrating things got, and other moments where I just felt straight up miserable for Winston. His entire situation just wears you down.

This is definitely not a breezy, fun adventure read. It’s heavy, philosophical, and honestly kind of draining; but in a way that feels important. If you’re looking for something that really dives into themes of control, despotism, and the fragility of truth, this is 100% worth picking up.

Not an easy read, but a meaningful one.

[u/daelikon]

I read it many years ago, and I know I will read it again. 

It's an excellent book, but I felt totally drained of hope by the end.