For Attn Naomi

[emmie]

I fiinished reading George Orwells book 1984, sorry if my other thread seems to have petered out. I didn't enjoy it, but i guess it wasn't there to be enjoyed.

[emmie]

I don't think i could have read it months ago, its too bleak, and depressing.

[eve1974]

It is a tad depressing isn’t it? Tho it is one of my fave books n I’ve read it over n over n over again !

[Toorak]

You could have just added this to your original thread rather than starting another one

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Arts-and-Literature/Question1752043.html

[emmie]

i read it in the hope it would shed some light, what's depressing is some or a lot of its actually happening.

[emmie]

i did, but that didn't get any response, please don't remind me of Site Rules.

[emmie]

if someone wants to blip this one then fine, go ahead.

[pixie374]

I didn't find it that depressing, it's fiction. I also didn't find it was very accurate as a "prediction". For instance, newspeak... he didn't predict the advent of the Internet or the sheer amount of free speech we get now- for everyone and anyone. Many of his views couldn't have been more wrong. Big Brother, maybe...

[emmie]

we are monitored whichever way we turn by cctv, our phones are a dead giveaway, and most people have one.

[The Builder]

interesting piece here from Margaret Attwood, Emm. 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale both being seen as dystopian novels.

I agree 1984 is depressing, but it was intended to end on. if not a high, then at least a note of optimism.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/blog/we-re-all-reading-1984-wrong-according-to-margaret-atwood-1.4105314

[pixie374]

Yes, and usually I'm glad of it. I get good suggestions from Prime, of what I would like. Feel safer, due to CCTV and appreciate being able to contact people, emergency services better. For me, it's more good than bad.
Thoughtcrime, never happened, even 40 years later- yes, we still have "trends", but are still able to communicate mostly what you want (may not apply to obvious racists).
It's interesting, but also shows how wrong you can be.

[emmie]

i was expecting Smith to be killed, that didn't happen, but it might just as well have as he fell in love with Big Brother.

[Mozz71]

I would've suggested Huxley's Brave New World as a follow up read to 1984, but given your reaction to Orwell, maybe a break from Dystopian future novels is in order.

[pixie374]

Brave New World was better, imo. However, the Black Mirror series are good for a more accurate guess.

[emmie]

i took up a point with someone on AB, who basically told me my thinking was wrong, and that i should think the way he/she did, my point being is that getting told what to think isn't so far from the book.

[pixie374]

That's AB for you. But, you can converse, it isn't forced.

[emmie]

I might see if my mate has a copy of Brave New World,
1984 is her copy, i wouldn't have bought it thats for sure.

[mouseymick]

If you want a good sci-if read try “Time and Again -Orion’ Legacy’. It’s on Amazon as a kindle read .. free on Kindle Unlimited and just £4.99 on ordinary Kindle. It is a blend of sci-if, WW2 action, ufology and conspiracy theory. Author gives 10% of sales to Salvation Army Christmas appeal.

[emmie]

that wasn't the first time someone said it Pixie, you can't tell people what to think, and like Smith, he comes round in the end to an acceptance of his fate i guess.

[emmie]

if you want a collection of sci fi fantasy try Stephen Donaldson, Thomas Covenant series, they are brilliant
back to the book, i think being monitored all the time in the book and in real life must make you a bit uneasy, even paranoid.

[JJ109]

I agree Emmie that is why I was dissappointed that you told me I was wrong on another thread. We think differently on that point Emmie, You are not wrong and neither was I. We had a different view!