1984 By George Orwell
Orwell was undoubtedly troubled with the entire thought of socialism. He clearly had issues of independent thought, wealth, and living being stamped out by big government. In fact, he was so much troubled by Marxism that he sought to instill fear in readers with a direct correlation between socialism and death.
In 1984, we have a classic science fiction novel where the main character "Winston" finds himself trying to escape the world prison of "big brother". Every turn he has to watch his back that the thought police isn't trying to tap into his thoughts or emotions. Unfortunately for Winston he was living in a new world where even the slight thought of arousal, or love was banned. (Taking it one step further) not only was it illegal to have negative thoughts towards the government or open feelings towards other humans, but it also carried the weight of the death penalty. Death by vaporization to be exact. The entire book follows Winston and his struggle for freedom and rebellion against a power hungry nation.
My biggest reason for reading Orwell's classic science fiction was the fact that it was listed as one of the top 100 novels of all time (according to Time Magazine) but it was also listed as one of the top 25 Science Fiction books by the New York Times. I found the book a little dull about 75% through the book. However, found it to take a scary twist that had me on the edge of my seat the remaining quarter of the book.
Definitely a classic and not to be read lightly. Gives a dreary outlook of the future. Hopefully it doesn't look like Orwell's future.
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