Our ongoing series reviewing audio adaptations of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror works. Note that these reviews may contain spoilers.
By John J. Joex
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars (Highest Rating)
Audio Book Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Most Science Fiction and Fantasy fans, as well as literary aficionados, recognize Nineteen Eighty-Four as George Orwell’s iconic dystopian novel which has worked its way into popular culture the world over and given us one of the most recognized depictions of the totalitarian, de-humanizing state. Much of the language of the book has found its way into our common vernacular such as Big Brother, Newspeak, and Thought Police, and the term Orwellian has come to identify the omnipresent, oppressive state. But how many have actually read this book and come to realize that Orwell also gave us an excellent, engaging novel along with his political commentary?
The book centers on Winston Smith, a small cog in the Ministry of Truth who’s job it is to regularly “correct” historical facts not in line with the party’s policies (not to be confused with the people currently working for Fox News or any of the other “news” outlets currently distorting reality on a daily basis). Smith lives a simple, squalid existence as one of the many citizens of the Outer Party (middle class) in Oceania whose function it is to do as the party dictates and nothing more. However, Smith is not completely happy with his lot and keeps a journal of his thoughts (considered a “thoughtcrime” by the state) and also has an interest in learning more “real” history. Then one day, one of the female workers at the Ministry of Truth slips him a note saying that she loves him and this sets off an affair between the two, which constitutes yet another crime against the state. The Thought Police discovers their crime, though, and both are captured and subjected to psychological conditioning and a “reintegration” process.
Orwell’s novel is rooted in a criticism of Socialism, particularly what he had seen arise in the Soviet countries. For his more direct commentary on the rise of Soviet Communism, though, you can read his political allegory Animal Farm. Nineteen Eighty-Four is less an allegory and more an exploration of the totalitarian state and the de-humanizing affect it can have on its citizens. This is a very bleak novel with little in the way of hope or optimism and much in the way of cynicism about human nature. That can make it a difficult read at times, but it also makes for a very engaging book. It is definitely a difficult journey to follow Winston Smith through his sufferings at the hands of his government. And the final moments of Smith’s conversion at the end of the novel provide some of the most chilling prose in all of literature. This of course makes this book quite an eye-opener and can lead the reader to some serious soul-searching.
And many of the predictions of this fictional state that he wrote about in 1948 still ring true today, maybe because he drew from what he had seen transpire in world politics up to that point (and not only in the Soviet Union). Just a few examples to consider: the use of the constant threat of an outside enemy to keep the populace in fear and under control, the manipulation of media to distort facts and to sway public opinion, perpetual surveillance, coercion to bully individuals into following the party line. So much of that we still see in our world today, and what’s even more scary is that we see it happening in “free” countries not just totalitarian states. Nineteen Eighty-Four touches the psyche and the soul and drags us (kicking and screaming) in the world the Orwell created. It still resonates today and will constantly do so as long as its horrific predictions continue to play themselves out in the world we live in.
I found an older audio version of the book at my local library read by Richard Matthews. His narration, with his very proper British voice, fits the story quite well and he does an excellent job of shifting between characters. I don’t see this version available through any of the normal audio book sources, though, so it must have gone out of print. A newer version by Blackstone audio read by Simon Prebbles is much more widely available now, and from the samples I have heard he does an equally good job of bringing the story to life. This version also adds some music and sound effects to enhance the narration. You can purchase it from Barnes and Noble or any of the audio book services like eMusic.com or Audible.com.
