The Bowie Book Club discussion

If you have any comments to make about the book that do not mention specifics of the book, use this thread. PLEASE, KEEP IN MIND: do not give any spoilers! The discussion about particular segments of the story was divided, so the members of the group can make comments as they move further on the reading, without the risk of encountering spoilers in the middle of the conversations.

Does anyone plan on watching the movie(s)?

Samanta wrote: "Does anyone plan on watching the movie(s)?"

I thought about it, but I am not sure... Has anyone already watched it?

I just want to see how they transferred the story to the screen.

Did any of you watch "The island", starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It's a bit different story, but the system reminds me so much of 1984 and Brave new world by Aldous Huxley.

Samanta wrote: "Did any of you watch "The island", starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It's a bit different story, but the system reminds me so much of 1984 and Brave new world by Aldous Huxley."

I did. I remember it was a good movie and I enjoyed it.
Another movie that resembles it is Gattaca with Ethan Hawke and Jude Law. Very "Brave New World".

I will check it out.

Samanta wrote: "Did any of you watch "The island", starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It's a bit different story, but the system reminds me so much of 1984 and Brave new world by Aldous Huxley."

Yes. If I remember correctly, in that one everyone had been reduced to a number... their personality stripped away as much as possible.

The background story in the movie 12 Monkeys fits, too. Anyone else seen it?

Erma wrote: "Samanta wrote: "Did any of you watch "The island", starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It's a bit different story, but the system reminds me so much of 1984 and Brave new world by Aldous..."

Excellent movie, Erma. With Bruce Willis if I recall well. Have to see it again.

Erma wrote: "Samanta wrote: "Did any of you watch "The island", starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It's a bit different story, but the system reminds me so much of 1984 and Brave new world by Aldous..."

They were a community of clones, bred for the sole purpose of giving organs to the real people when needed. They thought they were survivors of a great natural? disaster, and that they had to be kept inside this safe facility.

Samanta wrote: "They were a community of clones, bred for the sole purpose of giving organs to the real people when needed. ."

I had forgotten this part, though I remembered the pursuit and escape. Pretty harsh...

Cynthia wrote: "Excellent movie, Erma. With Bruce Willis if I recall well. Have to see it again..."

That's the one. :) Even though he was a prisoner, it was the fact that he didn't have much of a choice and eventually gave in to the demands of this 'governmental' force that bears a striking resemblance to 1984 for me.

Has anyone watched "Brazil" by Terry Gilliam?

The movie is strongly based on 1984.

Cynthia wrote: "Has anyone watched "Brazil" by Terry Gilliam?

The movie is strongly based on 1984."

Brazil is on my to watch list for a long time...

You have to watch it, Lidiana. It is a cult movie :-) I had watched it about 4-5 times in my teens and early twenties. It was also part of my cinema class. Imagine having to take an exam about movies, I loved that course (that was like more than 20 years ago).
The first time I ever watched it was on a long-haul flight to Africa, I was 14 at the time...
I'm going to watch it again! Wonder how will be my interpretation now that I'm older.

Cynthia wrote: "You have to watch it, Lidiana. It is a cult movie :-) I had watched it about 4-5 times in my teens and early twenties. It was also part of my cinema class. Imagine having to take an exam about movi..."

I'll watch it for sure...

Another movie that has a strong inspiration on 1984 in my opinion is Minority Report. Has anyone seen it? I like this movie very much...

Lidiana wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "You have to watch it, Lidiana. It is a cult movie :-) I had watched it about 4-5 times in my teens and early twenties. It was also part of my cinema class. Imagine having to take an..."

Yes, very good movie. Directed by Spielberg. It is based on a short story by Philip K. Dick who maybe was inspired by 1984...

So...I'm finished with the book and I like it, but I think I reached my limit for reading this book. Reading about the lack of freedom Winston had and the dealings of the Party, produced in my mind and body that suffocating feeling of helplessness, like it was me there and someone is threatening to take my freedom away from me. I think that's one of my biggest fears. So, thanks but no thanks again.

Samanta wrote: "So...I'm finished with the book and I like it, but I think I reached my limit for reading this book. Reading about the lack of freedom Winston had and the dealings of the Party, produced in my mind..."

I'm stuck in the beginning of Part III... I don't feel like continue reading exactly for the reasons you mentioned, Samantha...

All GR 1984 discussion topics :-)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/list_...

Cynthia wrote: "All GR 1984 discussion topics :-)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/list_..."

Great idea, Cynthia...

I'm a massive Orwell fan and have read all his books and quite a few of his essays. There's so much to enjoy in his work.

I read the wonderful Down and Out in Paris and London back in 2012 and I loved it. It's probably my favourite book by George Orwell who is also one of my favourite writers and something of a hero to me.

He's like the method actor of writing. Not content with doing a bit of research and then writing a book, he actually goes and lives the life of (variously) a Plongeur or a homeless person and then, rather than create a rather grim and depressing report, he somehow manages to create something that whilst accurate and shocking, is also life reaffirming and humane.

His experiences in both Paris and London are fascinating. The book contains social history, humour, insights, compassion and some wonderful anecdotes.

Orwell also manages to bring those he meets to life - and what a motley bunch they are. People of different nationalities, varying temperaments, and diverse personalities.

It's hard not to view homeless people in a very different way after reading this book, and whilst a lot has changed since the late 1920s, there is also much that is depressingly familiar.

I have just finished this book and feel disconcerted. I was horrified and fearful throughout parts of this book and was glad to finish it. I feel a little like 'O'Brien' may have been successful in convincing me I was insane!
No wonder people are still discussing '1984' in this modern day, it is easy to see modern humanity replicating the behavior of the main protagonists in this book.
Does anyone think 'Big Brother' ever existed as an individual or was just a manifestation of the party?

I wonder the same thing, Samantha! :)

In all the most known political systems, the leaders were known and went public (Nazi Germany - Hitler, USSR - Stalin, Yugoslavia - Tito, Cuba - Castro...). They wanted to be seen and worshiped. Here, this Big Brother is somewhere hidden and at the same time everywhere. No man can be everywhere at the same time, so I think it was a method of putting "fear of God" into people and make them submissive.

Samanta wrote: "I wonder the same thing, Samantha! :)

In all the most known political systems, the leaders were known and went public (Nazi Germany - Hitler, USSR - Stalin, Yugoslavia - Tito, Cuba - Castro...). T..."

You make a very good point about those leaders. Their egos would not have allowed them to hide in plain sight among the party workers. I wondered at times whether O'Brien was Big Brother?

Interesting theory....hm