12/29/2013 - This book was perfectly stunning. It made me think about human character more and the whole story was enthralling. A must-read... I think.
I'll probably have to read this again someday too. Someday when I am older and will have a different outlook and perspective.

4/15/2021 - While my teenage self rated this 5 stars and enjoyed this book, the real wisdom I held was knowing I'd need to come back to this. Coming at this as a college graduate, after voting in presidential elections a few times, experiencing 2020, having left a high-demand religion, and having truly felt love... I cannot express how differently this book hits. It is a clever and thoughtful exploration of humanity.

*SPOILERS* While the struggles of a nearly 40-year-old man in a world as grim as Orwell paints isn't something that I feel much connection with... Orwell's use of his world-building, characters, and the events they face provides some very interesting food for thought. The point of this book is in no way the story. Orwell points out through the narrative that this is a dull world and that our main characters experience is very probably nothing special or astounding. However, this is a point that Orwell is making. The dullness and casual fear and violence of 1984 creates resounding dissonance for the reader. This dissonance allows the exploration of what it means to be human and how political theory fits into controlling and freeing humanity. Everything, up to the ending, makes it clear that this story is no epic but just a reflection on what it means to obtain and hold onto one's humanity, both on an individual and group level.