I know it's a classic. I know that it's important and a reflection of the themes and sentiments of its time. But by the gods, was this a boring book. I've never hated any main character as much as I hate Winston. The plot is mediocre at best, the characterization is nonexistent or derogatory, the writing just goes on and on, and the symbolism is not nearly all it's cracked up to be. Read Animal Farm- still a showcase of Orwell's work, still full of resonant themes, but with half the pages and much better characters.