455. 1984

1984
George Orwell
1949
Around 370 pages

NOTE: I noticed my comments haven't been working, but I believe I fixed the issue. Sorry if you have been trying to comment, feel free to go extra hard on me as part of my repentance.

This is one of those books nearly everybody has read. Even the people who pride themselves on abstaining from the mainstream have probably read this so they can reference it on Reddit. Or maybe I am being naive, and people just allude to this without actually suffering with Winston. Either way, it's fair to say this is a must read, and George Orwell is a fucking prophet.

In 1984, three totalitarian super states run the world. Winston works in the Ministry of Truth, revising historical documents and dreaming of rebellion (meaning he is already guilty of committing thought-crime). He meets Julia, who Winston initially regards warily as a spy, but gradually becomes more involved with her. Just like in Brave New World, women are here to help men realize things. I don't fault Orwell, but I'm looking forward to our Atwood days when women have larger roles.

Orwell gave us an entirely new vocabulary with this novel, and once again provides us with an invaluable tool for understanding totalitarianism. God, literature is so damn cool. Unfortunately, this novel will never lose its relevancy. 

I read this novel in middle school and the torture scenes really freaked me out. I'm sad this is our last Orwell novel, but talk about going out with a bang. 

Official Orwell Ranking

1. 1984

2. Animal Farm

3. Burmese Days

4. Keep the Aspidistra Flying

5. Coming up for Air

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

One of Time's 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005.

By 1989, Nineteen Eighty-Four had been translated into 65 languages, which was more than any other novel in English at that time.

UP NEXT: The Man With the Golden Arm by Nelson Algren

436. Animal Farm

Animal Farm
George Orwell
1945
Around 140 pages

This is one of those novels that nearly everybody has read. If you haven't you were probably one of those cool people in high school who didn't do their homework, and I have no idea what you are doing here. When I read this in tenth grade, I lamented how our capitalist society is constantly brainwashing us through the public school system. So if you are reading this Mrs. Burkett, I was on to you.

The animals of Manor Farm stage a revolt, with the pigs in the charge. This is already hitting a little close to home. Of course, absolute power corrupts absolutely. In Orwell's later essay, "Why I Write," he wrote that Animal Farm was his attempt to "to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole."

By now I am quite familiar with the formula of a political novel. Usually it involves a hot intellectual guy leading a union and our leading lady falling in love with him. Then we get long speeches where the author makes all the points he wants the novel to make. This is obviously a much more creative approach. 

Orwell is an amazing writer, I don't know many authors that could have pulled this off without pushing too hard. He is improving with every novel and clearly gearing up to pen his upcoming masterpiece 1984. A must read diss track to the Soviet Union.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Time magazine chose the book as one of the 100 best English-language novels (1923 to 2005).

Orwell suggested the name Union des républiques socialistes animales for the French translation, which abbreviates to URSA, the Latin word for "bear", a symbol of Russia. Damn son.

The manuscript was initially rejected by a number of British and American publishers because of the countries' wartime alliance with the Soviet Union.

UP NEXT: The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric

405. Coming Up For Air

Coming Up For Air
George Orwell
1939
Around 240 pages

George Orwell wrote this after being shot in the throat by a Fascist sniper, when he was recovering from tuberculosis in North Africa. Which is incredibly badass. The only thing I've ever been able to accomplish during convalescence is taking a shower without vomiting. And even that is touch and go. 

Our main character is George Bowling, I guess George is our author's favorite fake name. At the beginning of the book, George is collecting a new false set of teeth in London. I'll refrain from making the obligatory joke about British teeth in favor of commenting on the parallels between this and Proust, which has a similar nostalgic air. Through a bizarre set of circumstances he wins some money, and decides to use it for a trip down memory lane.

World War II is the Big Bad in most of the novels now, I can only imagine how apocalyptic the world felt for people during this time. I think everybody can relate to feeling like "the good ole days" are long gone, as the planet becomes something we don't recognize.

It's a bitter and bleak work, which is fitting for the time, but a bummer read.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Orwell's brother-in-law, Humphry Dakin, the husband of Orwell's sister Marjorie, a 'short, stout, loquacious' man, thought that Bowling might be a portrait of him. I would keep that to myself.

UP NEXT: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

382. Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Keep the Aspidistra Flying
George Orwell
1936
Around 250 pages

Writers love writing about being writers. And honestly, I can't get enough of it. Orwell just keeps improving as an author, which isn't always the case. What a life that man led.

Gordon Comstock declares war on money-obsessed society, and decides to quit his job at an ad company to live the romantic penniless life of a writer. He shames his girlfriend Rosemary for not having unprotected sex with him, saying she doesn't dare have a baby with him because he is broke. As my mom would say, this one is a real pill. Anyway, his battle with capitalism goes about as well as you'd expect.

Orwell's work is always deep with meaning, and this might be my favorite title to date. Gordon doesn't have the talent of a genius, but he has the soul of the artist. He's an easy character to sympathize with, because he wants everything without making any sacrifices.

Orwell's real life experience allowed him to paint a vivid picture of financial hardship. For both Gordon and Orwell, poverty was more of a philosophical choice than an inescapable reality. White male privilege at its finest. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Adapted to film in 1997 with Helena Bonham Carter. 

Written while Orwell was in Hampstead, after his tramping days.

UP NEXT: Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

371. Burmese Days

Burmese Days
George Orwell
1934
Around 275 pages

Welcome to the blog George. He makes it to the List on his very first try, with a book reminiscent of E.M. Forster. I had to read this in my college days, and there's nothing like a class discussion to sap your love of a work. Still, I think this is one of the most important reads we've had lately.

John Flory is an English timber merchant living in Burma. He is ashamed of the birthmark that covers half his face, and his only friend is an Indian doctor. He is content with his Burmese mistress until he meets the beautiful Elizabeth Lackersteen. She's a beautiful upper class orphan and represents everything that John Flory desperately wants but feels unworthy of possessing. She's turned off by his obvious affinity for the Burmese natives and clumsy attempts at courting her.

This novel is rich in symbolism. Everything here has purpose, whether its the burning leopard skin or the water buffalo attack, the events of this novel are rich in meaning. It didn't feel like Orwell was preaching, probably because the characters were based on real people. His descriptions were also powerful; I could almost feel the Burmese heat emanating from the pages.

A must read and a great introduction to everything Orwell has to offer.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Orwell spent five years from 1922 to 1927 as a police officer in the Indian Imperial Police force in Burma.

Orwell was turned down for publication as it was feared he would be sued for libel.

UP NEXT: England Made Me by Graham Greene. I missed that boy.