1984 by George Orwell

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This is one of the best book I've ever read. 1984 is a dystopian novel about at the time, future year 1984, where the "Big Brother" is always watching, and truths are constantly altered to fit the party's narrative. It's a very interesting topic that is haunting when you read it and think about it. It reminded me of my early life in China, all the Communism propaganda, the rationing of food and supplies, the terrible lives we had but somehow were brainwashed to think it was "good". This is a book that everyone should read.

1984 follows the life of a party member, Winston Smith. Winston does not like the party or its figurehead, the "Big Brother", but speaking about it, or even thinking about it, is a crime punishable by death. Winston sees the discrepancy between what's reported on TV vs. what's happening in real life. For example, the TV announcements are always full of good news - rations have gone up, productictivity has gone up, etc., but people are getting thinner and there's more famine, etc. Winston starts trying to keep a journal of what he thinks is the actual truth, because he knows if he's caught with his thoughts, he can be put to death. Another party member, a higher ranking one than Winston, named O'Brien, works with Winston. Winston starts believing O'Brien is also anti-party, simply based on his handshake or a wink. Since, you know, they can't talk about it openly. Winston also notices a girl following him as he goes to the proletariat district (the working class people's area) to purchase things he needs, like razor or paper for his journal. (This is against the rules too, but not always enforced.) He wonders if the girl is someone trying to report him, but she turns out to be a girl named Julia who is just someone interested in a sexual relationship with him. Because you know, sex is prohibited too. They start having sex regularly in the proletariat district, where Winston rented an apartment above a shop. The shopkeeper, Mr. Charrington, turned out to be a member of the Thought Police and Winston and Julia are arrested. O'Brien who is a devoted party member, has also had his eyes on Winston for years, and became Winston's interrogator and uses Winston's fear of rats against him, until Winston accepts Big Brother and the Party. Winston comes out alive but broken, and no longer have any anti-party thoughts. The book's ending is an explanation of the new official language called Newspeak, but is written in past tense, giving the reader hope that it's something in the past.

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