1984 / George Orwell

"1984" is a dystopian novel written by George Orwell and published in 1949. The story is set in a totalitarian society in the year 1984, where the government, led by the Party and its enigmatic leader Big Brother, exercises complete control over every aspect of people's lives.

The protagonist, Winston Smith, works for the Party rewriting historical records to fit its propaganda. Winston becomes disillusioned with the oppressive regime and begins to rebel against its thought control and surveillance. He starts a forbidden affair with Julia, a fellow Party member, and the two attempt to resist the Party's control.

The Party's slogans, such as "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength," highlight the manipulation of language and truth to maintain power. The novel explores themes of censorship, surveillance, propaganda, and the consequences of unchecked governmental authority.

Ultimately, Winston and Julia are caught by the Thought Police, and Winston undergoes brutal re-education to enforce loyalty to Big Brother. The novel concludes with Winston's complete submission to the Party's ideology, emphasizing the bleak and oppressive nature of the dystopian world Orwell envisions in "1984." The book serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and the erosion of individual freedoms.