1984 by George Orwell?

[freeindeed]

My ds16 has to read this over the summer. What do you all think of this book?

[newbie]

I am reading it right now and think its very interesting.

I wouldn't let my 15 yo read it, only because of mature content, which I think he could have done w/o.

[freeindeed]

Could you specify what the mature content is? Thanks.

[newbie]

Sorry, s*x.

[freeindeed]

Wow...okay. Is it graphic?

[Brenda in MA]

on a car trip last year with dss 12 & 17 yo. Parts of the book drag on a bit, like when they are reading from the "party" manual.

I do think it was a very valuable read, though, because it really helped my boys to understand a bit how a modern (e.g. with technology) society under a communist regime might operate. It helped them to understand the differences between living in a free society and living in one where your entire existence is controlled by the state. They still remember and recall often how "the party" rewrote history to suit its needs, how the children were encouraged to turn in their parents, and how the main character was always being watched.

Now, when we read or hear about various governments in our history books or our newspaper, they have a basis of understanding. I can't tell you the number of times this year that one of them has said, "That's just like in 1984."

I read the book as a teenager in high school and didn't get much out of it. I don't think I had the background to understand it and no one was there to discuss the nitty gritty details of the book with me. During our listening time, we often paused the CD to discuss what was going on.

If your student is not a very strong reader (and even if he/she is), you might consider getting the audio version and listening together so you can discuss it. It definitely wasn't a "pleasant" read, but very worthwhile, I think.

YMMV,
Brenda

[newbie]

I am only on pp 150. Havent gotten to the relationship part.

Pretty much by pp. 80 I decided it wasnt for dd. Its not graphic, but lets just say noticeable.

The book so far doesnt shed a good light on women. Either they are celibate or prostitutes, just my view.

Dont get me wrong, I like the book, just dd is not ready for it yet.

[freeindeed]

My student is a very strong, above average reader, so I don't think he'll have any trouble comprehending the book. He's quite intellectual--not to sound like a braggy mom.:D We discuss politics, current events, etc. on a regular basis. I'm just concerned about the mature content. I've decided to read the book before he does, so that way I will know what it contains. Thanks for all the responses!

[newbie]

I am a bit of a prude and always pre read required lit.

On the upside you will enjoy the book. Its a little long.

On the political and world side, its a great read, I think my dd would love it. If it werent for those small portions.

[Kinsa]

Not that this is what you're asking, but I thought I'd throw this out there...

I read 1984 in high school (senior year), and then wrote my college admission essay on it. I got into a good private school with that essay.

[freeindeed]

Thanks, Kinsa. My ds will be a senior this upcoming year.:) However, he's planning to enlist with the Marines immediately after graduation.:patriot:

[Kinsa]

(Psst... Air Force is way better!) <LOL>

[freeindeed]

That's what I told him, too. My father was in the Air Force, and my grandfather actually flew bombing missions in the Air Force during WWII. Hey, I'm hijacking my own thread.:lol:

[Alphabetika]

Marines are the best! But I digress...:tongue_smilie:

I found 1984 fascinating when I read it in high school, and I'm sure I'd get MUCH more out of it now that I'm more familiar with government, etc. I do remember the sexual content and also that there was a lot of torture, which I don't do well with. A friend took me to see the movie, starring John Hurt, and I couldn't make it through because of the torture. But I suspect most students would not be as sensitive about it as I am.

[SheilaZ]

I first read 1984 in 1984 when I was 13 years old. (I was a very odd child.) I don't remember the sex at all from the first time I read it.
I had already read Animal Farm so the topic worried me more than anything else. The politcal climate was very charged at the time. My local area was listed as one of the top 20 places that would be hit by a Soviet nuke.

[katilac]

An iconic piece of literature that should be read by every college-bound student.

[MamaT]

My 15yo read it this year. I also read the book when I was 13 or 14. We discussed things as they came up, and I felt he was mature enough to handle the book.

BTW - The Marines are the Best! (See my siggy)

[freeindeed]

Thanks again for all of the responses. I'll read it first, and then ds16 and I can discuss it.

[nmoira]

I first read 1984 in 1984 when I was 13 years old. (I was a very odd child.)Not so odd. ;) I remember doing book reports on 1984 and Brave New World in 7th grade.

ETA: This wasn't assigned reading.

[SheilaZ]

Not so odd. ;) I remember doing book reports on 1984 and Brave New World in 7th grade.

ETA: This wasn't assigned reading.
:D Mine either. I was the bane of of my English teachers. I had either already read most of the required reading list or Id do book reports on books that were not suitable for my grade. They really hated that.
I finally learned just to keep my mouth shut and re-read the book.

[Carol in Cal.]

...I think I was about 13 at the time.

To really appreciate and even comprehend them, I think that you have to immerse yourself in the worldview of the Cold War. Since I was thus immersed when I read these, they made perfect sense to me as mind games.

Given our plugged in culture as well as our lack of demonized 'others', though, the horrors that they depict are not as obvious to current readers. I think that they would be a great jumping off point to learning about the Cold War era.

[TeacherZee]

I read it in high school and loved it. We were studying the cold war at the time and the whole subject fascinated me. I read it again this year for my linguistics class. I have to say that the s*x caught me a bit off guard because I did not remember it from the first time around. Other bits stuck with me more. This time around it was the linguistical aspects of newspeak that I found fascinating. It is a book that you can come at from very many angles and you will get something new out of it every time you read it.