1984 – George Orwell

1984, by George Orwell, like so many other books has been on my to read list for countless years. And also, like so many other books, 1984 has been on my bookshelf for another number of years. Recently though, I finally got around to reading it, and this  is where I decide whether the novel was worth the wait.

So, going into the novel I already knew the general idea. I think i’m pretty spot on in saying that most people do have some kind of understanding as to what Orwell’s 1984 is about, right? For me, my understanding of the novel centred around it being about this idea  of the ‘big brother’, about an all seeing eye, that is constantly watching you. Aside from that though, my knowledge of the actual plot was pretty limited. – And by that I mean I had no idea what was going to happen.

When you read 1984 you can identify why people enjoy this novel so much, and why it may be considered a classic. I found it was a novel that really questioned our modern world and the future that is ahead of us. Specifically when now, in the modern day, nearly 35 years on from when the novel was set this idea of being watched through electronics is something that could very easily become a reality. Though with all these news gadgets, the google home, and amazon echo etc, you really wonder whether this kind of monitoring has already started. Though that’s a debate probably left for another time. So, in general I quite enjoyed this aspect of the novel, and reading about a world that is so obviously monitored and controlled by the people in power.

However, I feel I was left a little bit disappointed (as with anything that is over hyped). I had high hopes for 1984. I was hoping for it to be this really insightful novel, that would stay with me for the days after I finished the last page. But nope, no luck there. I was pretty let down by the novel in general. I feel though, that is not necessarily because of the writing and the novel itself, but more because of the person I am when reading a novel. I was simply expecting more from the plot and something a little more gripping. I mean, the idea of there being an all seeing eye, really does open the door for a multitude of gripping plots. Though there are probably many other authors who have put pen to paper and written a story similar, inspired by Orwell’s work.

Although 1984 has left me feeling slightly disappointed, I am glad that I finally got around to reading it. No more am I in wonder of what Orwell”s pages hold. And though I was not blown away by this novel, I cannot fault the writing. Each page flowed well into the next, and I did keep reading without any stumbles, or any annoyances in regards to the written word. And for that I am grateful, because I would never have gotten through this book at all, let alone at a good pace, if the writing had been as disappointing as the plot.

The Circle – David Eggers

The Circle by David Egger’s is a dystopian novel about our increasing obsession with the internet. The plot focuses around the character of Mae, who has been hired to work at ‘The Circle’ – the world’s biggest and best internet company. Though working at ‘The Circle’ appears to be the answer to all of Mae’s dreams, as time goes on the reader is faced with the uncomfortable realities of the company. A company who believes transparency is key and that everything and anything about your life should be shared. The novel truly demonstrates to us just how far the internet and the need for knowledge can be pushed.

I have seen mixed reviews regarding The Circle, however I thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe that is because I am somebody who is very involved in social media and the concept of sharing, I’m not sure. But the exploration of how far that world can be pushed and how social media platforms could progress really intrigued me. So, for me, the best part of this novel was the concept itself. Throughout the novel as the layers of ‘The Circle’ were introduced to Mae I continuously found myself stopping and thinking ‘really’. The pressure put on the characters to remain ‘social’ and keep their online activity score high through group and event participation, making comments, and sharing their lives just seemed so extreme. But though extreme, you can truly identify how that could become our reality. We’re on the right path to be leading a life just like that put-upon Mae in The Circle.

Eggers presents a truly thought-provoking novel, about the state of the internet and our need to be constantly seen online through social media. Egger’s novel left me thinking about my own internet uses, and how involved I am on social media. So much so that I think I have reduced my online presence since finishing the novel.

That being said though, the concept of The Circle is not a new idea. The novel does not add anything new to the argument of social media. All the concepts explored regarding how much transparency is too much, are all things we’ve thought about before. The effects of exposing oneself too much on the internet and being caught up on social media have all be discussed at length. So, although this novel made me reflect on my internet habits, I believe it was more because I had been engrossed in the novel rather than because there was a new argument added to the equation.

The only negative I would say was that I did feel that the ending of The Circle seemed slightly rushed. I did not feel that all ends had been tied up and that the ending was natural. The novel was not short so I understand the need to end it before it carried on for too much longer. However, a lot of questions were still left unanswered. Did Egger’s become bored and just want it ended? Who knows, probably not, but that’s certainly how it felt.

If you’re interested in dystopian fiction I would recommend Egger’s novel, as it’s an interesting world to get caught up in. I would also say it’s a great book for those who want an easy read, because although it has you thinking about the questions of social media, it’s probably not something you haven’t thought about before. – therefore, it is a book that you will get through quickly. However, if you can’t stand books that don’t have a brilliant ending that answers all the questions, then I’ll warn you, this book probably isn’t for you.

The Circle has also been adapted into a movie starring Emma Roberts and Tom Hanks, and it has me intrigued about how Egger’s concept will be portrayed online. – In the UK I believe this is going straight to Netflix.