The Bowie Book Club discussion

Share with others any comments you may have about the book edition you are reading. This topic was created to help clearing any doubts on differences that the book may have from one publishing house to another.

This topic may be used to share information regarding where to get the book, as well. Do not share illegal files. Let’s be considerate with the authors.

With 1984, as far as I know, it will be a bit of a conundrum to decide if it is in the public domain or not because some countries say “yes, it is” while in others it is a big no. Here is an article explaining why it is available freely and legally elsewhere, but not the States: http://www.inquisitr.com/29708/bigger...

I'll be reading the Penguin Student Edition. The previous edition I read of 1984 did not have any notes or guide material and I think that it could have helped me while reading the book for the first time. So, when I saw this edition with support material (but still affordable) I felt it was a good purchase.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I read a Penguin modern classics edition. No additional material except for a foreword by Ben Pimlott.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I'm reading it on my e-reader, so I do not think there will be any additional material.

I have it on my Kobo, so I'll read that.

I probably have on my kindle so that's what i'll be rereading. Although there are so many beautiful penguin editions here in Lisbon... But nooo! I have two books at home!

I think I have a copy of this at home, but I'm not sure which edition it is. I work at a library and just checked out a copy in case I *don't* have one. It's the Penguin 60th Anniversary Edition.

Holly wrote: "I think I have a copy of this at home, but I'm not sure which edition it is. I work at a library and just checked out a copy in case I *don't* have one. It's the Penguin 60th Anniversary Edition."

Anniversary editions usually have excellent extra material...

Holly, you have the best job in the world. :)

Suellen wrote: "Holly, you have the best job in the world. :)"

Oh, I definitely do. :)

Holly wrote: "Suellen wrote: "Holly, you have the best job in the world. :)"

Oh, I definitely do. :)"

I agree with Suellen... Best job in the world. However, I would suck at it. I probably would spend the day looking through the bookshelves instead of working hahaha.

I would avoid eye contact so people wouldn't bother me (i guess...) haha

Haha...it's an issue sometimes for sure. My to-read list is out of control. :)

Sarah wrote: "I'm reading Harcourt Brace's "Centennial Edition" from 2003; I bought it a few years ago when I thought I was going to be tutoring someone's master's thesis on Nineteen Eighty-Four, but that fell t..."

A Thomas Pynchon forward?! OMG, that must be very interesting! Looking forward for your comments after you read it

I'm pretty sure my husband owns a paperback copy of this book, but I chose to listen to this novel via audiobook,

Lisa wrote: "I'm pretty sure my husband owns a paperback copy of this book, but I chose to listen to this novel via audiobook,"

This is fine as well. Audiobooks are a great invention.

I admire people who manage to use audiobooks. I tried, but I have the attention span of a goldfish hahahahaha.

Lidiana wrote: "I admire people who manage to use audiobooks. I tried, but I have the attention span of a goldfish hahahahaha."

This!!! :D :D I just love the written word. Audiobooks just don't do it for me. :)

Hahaha, goldfish... Actually, listening to a book while driving suits me best.

Cynthia wrote: "Hahaha, goldfish... Actually, listening to a book while driving suits me best."

Either I wouldn't pay attention to the book, or I would have many traffic accidents.

"Either I wouldn't pay attention to the book, or I would have many traffic accidents."

LOL.

I have the Signet Classic edition published in 1984 (really!) that I got in high school. It's sort of falling apart, though, so I think I may switch to the audiobook for my commute. (I'm generally fine listening to audiobooks and podcasts in the car, but the one thing I can't listen to while driving is any self-teaching language materials. Apparently the language-acquisition part of my brain and the paying-attention-in-traffic part of my brain do not play well together!)

Sara wrote: "I have the Signet Classic edition published in 1984 (really!) that I got in high school. It's sort of falling apart, though, so I think I may switch to the audiobook for my commute. (I'm generally ..."

I laughed with the year coincidence...

Is there any chance that the language-acquisition part of the brain and the driving one are the same? Need to get my neurolinguistic books out of the bookshelf...

No, it isn't the same. For driving, it is the striatum that is involved (in the heart of the brain). For langage, it is the Broca and Wernicke areas, on the surface of the brain.

Lol.

Cynthia wrote: "No, it isn't the same. For driving, it is the striatum that is involved (in the heart of the brain). For langage, it is the Broca and Wernicke areas, on the surface of the brain.

Lol."

Maybe in my brain they wind up poking each other like badly behaved children in the backseat of the car. "Mom!! You're supposed to be paying attention to MEEEEE"

Sara wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "No, it isn't the same. For driving, it is the striatum that is involved (in the heart of the brain). For langage, it is the Broca and Wernicke areas, on the surface of the brain.

L..."

My brain is certainly filled with little brats who are constantly arguing hahahaha

Haha, my car is definitely filled with those arguing and laughing out loud. No listening to anything is then possible. Hahahaha.

I think I've read the novel three times: before, during and after 1984. Somewhere in my garage, I've got a copy of the book, but I gave up searching after delving into a half-dozen tubs of quaint, curious and otherwise volumes of forgotten lore. Rather than buying another copy, I borrowed one from the public library, which had many editions. I got the First Plume Printing, Centennial Edition (not the book's but the author's), 1983, with an introduction by Pynchon. A mesmerizing photo of Orwell on the back cover. I read a couple of pages and realized that as with stepping in rivers, you never read the same book twice,

Alex wrote: "I think I've read the novel three times: before, during and after 1984. Somewhere in my garage, I've got a copy of the book, but I gave up searching after delving into a half-dozen tubs of quaint, ..."

Alex, no wonder you chose to be a writer... Beautiful portray of your story with 1984...

Alex wrote: "I think I've read the novel three times: before, during and after 1984. Somewhere in my garage, I've got a copy of the book, but I gave up searching after delving into a half-dozen tubs of quaint, ..."

There are some books that are meant to be reread at different stages of life. Same with movies.

Lidiana wrote: "Alex wrote: "I think I've read the novel three times: before, during and after 1984. Somewhere in my garage, I've got a copy of the book, but I gave up searching after delving into a half-dozen tub..."

True.

A few chapters in, I'm struck by how well Orwell sets up Winston's isolation and his fear and uncertainty about all the other characters. What is the significance of a mere glance?