1984 – The Book and Play!

I finished this book a while ago, but I wanted to wait to write about it until after I had seen the play at the RedCat in LA. I’ll try and keep this post non-political!

So I am hoping that most people have read the book, or at least heard of it. I am not sure why it’s taken me so damn long to read it! I’ve been wanting to read it since probably 1984! The year is 1984; the scene is London, largest population center of Airstrip One, which is a part of the larger Oceania. Oceania is always at war with either EastAsia or Eurasia, at any given time, all records will indicate that they have always been at war with one or the other. When the war changes, all records are changed to reflect that. People disappear and are erased from history. Thoughtcrime and Doublethink are punishable by death. “‘Who controls the past,’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.'” Big Brother is always watching…

Winston, our main character works at the Ministry of Truth, which is just the opposite, constantly changing records and making lies. He meets a girl Julia who he falls in love with. Together they find the courage to join an underground group called ‘The Brotherhood’ which is trying to take down big brother. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be.

The book was everything I was expecting it to be, and if you haven’t read it, go out and pick it up now and read it!

The play on the other hand was HORRIBLE! I hated it… They basically start you off at the end of the book, and the whole play takes part in the detention cells and they basically just read parts of the book to you. Anyways, I would not suggest spending the $40 to see the play. I feel bad for the people who spent $100 on opening night!