I am a complete non-reader, I haven't read a book in years but I bought a copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four from 1973 a while ago and I want to read it someday.
Can I get some suggestions of books or methods I can use to build up towards Nineteen Eighty-Four or should I just jump in and try to read it now?
by captain_son
17 Comments
It’s not a very difficult book, but as it is a novel, and you’re not a reader, perhaps you could try some short stories? There are many wonderful short stories out there, often you can find them on the internet for free.
Perhaps some dystopian books for younger readers, like Hunger Games?
It’s not that difficult of a book! Jump in. Take it slow if that’s better for you. Carry it around with you & read a few pages whenever you have time. You can read it for straight story or you can take some time to reflect on what Orwell was trying to say. It’s a good story though! Some classics stick around because they are really timeless.
It isn’t a hard book and is very interesting and paced well. I don’t think you need to “build up to it”. But, if you feel very nervous about it, you could start with some shorter things or some fun YA dystopian. Like The Hunger Games?
I’d recommend just going for it! But pace yourself. Having a goal to read a few pages a day will keep you moving forward even if it feels slow at parts.
I’ve never been able to get into it, but I think I just don’t like dystopian fiction.
Before I read 1984, I read Orwell’s Animal Farm. It’s a bit more accessible and it gets you used to Orwell’s style before you read the denser 1984. But don’t be afraid of it – it’s not overwhelming even if you don’t do a “warm up”.
Check out some of Orwell’s non-fiction essays: Shooting an Elephant, A Hanging, etc. They’re available free online if you Google them.
And consider picking up one of his shorter books first if you’d like.
Animal Farm would be an excellent and very accessible intro to Orwell for a less experienced reader. Homage to Catalonia is my favorite of Orwell’s work, and the one I find myself returning to repeatedly.
I make the suggestions above because for some non-readers starting with a full length novel might not be as accessible, not because there’s anything about 1984 specifically that you need to avoid.
In 1984 I was in 7th grade and we to read 1984 in my reading class. For obvious reasons. BUT as a 12 year old reader I enjoyed it so much that I have read it many many times in the years since.
I’m very much a “read a chapter before bed” kind of person. So I tend to just go through books slowly. I read 1984 in just over a week. Whereas some other similar length books have taken me 2-3 months.
When I was younger, my dad would read the first chapter of a book aloud to me to help me get into it. You could try listening to an audiobook.
Animal Farm is better than 1984. Homage to Catalonia is Orwell’s writings on the Spanish Civil War.
Put your phone in another room.
It’s standard assigned reading for teenagers. Just open it up and start reading.
You’re so lucky. It’s a cultural touchstone, and now you’ll be able to see if its status is warranted. You could just dive in and be fine. If you’re really worried you might get a Cliff Notes to check through as you go through the book. Good luck.
I think Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a more engaging read and is a shorter book
You could read Animal Farm by the same author before, I did this