1984,by George Orwell.In this timeless critique of totalitarianism,Orwell creates a disturbing vision of a dystopian future.The protagonist,Winston Smith works in the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth,where he falsifies newspapers,magazines and documents,the contents of which no longer serve the interests of The Party.Here he meets Julia,who becomes his lover.Together they dream of overthrowing The Party. Encouraged by rumours of the existence of a subversive organisation called The Brotherhood,they make contact with a senior party official,O'Brien,who they believe is affiliated with this group.However,their trust in O'Brien is misplaced.They are arrested and taken to be interrogated in'the place where there is no darkness',Room 101.Welcome to the future.A squalid world of urban decay,rigid conformity and oppression.A world of acute shortages and rationing,where only fear,paranoia,and hatred are in plentiful supply.Welcome to Double Think,the Thought Police,and Thought Crime,where Freedom is Slav*ry,War is Peace,and Ignorance is Strength.Welcome to a world of lies,disinformation and conspiracy theories,where BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!(It may be closer than you think. Beware of the algorithms).
Animal Farm by George Orwell.This classic novella epitomises Orwell at his polemical best.Written in allegorical form,it tells the story of the Bolshevik Revolution through the eyes of the animals on Manor Farm.After years of cruel exploitation at the hands of Farmer Jones and his men,the animals,led by the pigs,rebel against their oppressors and expel them.Manor Farm becomes Animal farm.A new golden era of liberty and shared prosperity beckons.However freedom and equality are short lived.Soon the pigs,led by Napoleon,insidiously subvert the founding principles of the revolution.The rule that All Animals Are Equal is changed to Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others.Although TS Elliott suggested that all Animal Farm needed was more altruistic and public spirited pigs,the moral of the story is clear:powerful elites must always be held in check by democratic and constitutional constraints if the gains of the Revolution are to be safeguarded,and the New Order prevented from becoming as corrupt and repressive as the old regime.
