Robin McCallum's story about 1984
« Back to The Book That Changed My Life
Author: George Orwell
SynopsisHidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.
My Story
A wis fair determined no tae like or be impressed by this book but it happened anywise - agin ma will! I got it oot the local library when a wis a lad of 20 or there aboots an' A thocht everythin A'd heard aboot it wis goin tae fall flat. An o'ercooked puddin, A thocht. A wis completely wrang o' course, the idea o' a thocht police wha cud clamp doon oan yer rebellious notions wis gey terrifyin an nae sa far fae whit went oan in Stalin's Russia - ne'er mind Animal Farm, this wis showin' the impact sic a controlling an reactionary regime cud huv had oan the lives o it's citizens. The final betrayal wis jist an unexpectit clout tae the story - whit extremes cud a man find himsel' in when he's a lone renegade? A knew this book hud tae be ma choice fur the book that changed ma life - ne'er has ony book sine thrown sic a terrifying message in ma face in sic a powerful way.
