• 1984

  • New Classic Edition
  • By: George Orwell
  • Narrated by: Simon Prebble
  • Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (56,040 ratings)

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1984  By  cover art

1984

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Publisher's summary

Blackstone Publishing presents a new recording of this immensely popular book.

One of the most celebrated classics of the twentieth century, Orwell’s cautionary tale of a man trapped under the gaze of an authoritarian state feels more relevant now than ever before.

George Orwell depicts a gray, totalitarian world dominated by Big Brother and its vast network of agents, including the Thought Police, a world in which news is manufactured according to the authorities’ will and people live tepid lives by rote.

Winston Smith, the hero with no heroic qualities, longs only for truth and decency. But living in a social system in which privacy does not exist and where those with unorthodox ideas are brainwashed or put to death, he knows there is no hope for him. He knows even as he continues to pursue his forbidden love affair that eventually he will come to destruction.

The year 1984 has come and gone, yet George Orwell’s nightmare vision in 1949 of the world we were becoming is still the great modern classic of negative Utopia. It is a prophetic and haunting tale that exposes the worst crimes imaginable: the destruction of freedom and truth.

©1949 Harcourt Brace and Company, renewed 1977 Sonia Brownell Orwell (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

  • Nominee, 2008 Audie Award, Classic

"It is probable that no other work of this generation has made us desire freedom more earnestly or loathe tyranny with such fullness." (New York Times, 1949)

Featured Article: 40+ Thought-Provoking George Orwell Quotes


George Orwell transformed literature with his piercing social commentary and allegorical style. His works have become so entrenched in popular culture that the term "Orwellian" is used to describe totalitarian and authoritarian societies. Orwell also wrote nonfiction books and essays that similarly express his gift for satire and controversial views on government. Throughout his writing career, he never feared tackling challenging topics, no matter how subversive.

What listeners say about 1984

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Excellent performance an excellent story

This is my first experience with the book 1984. First of all, I'm very much impressed with the story. Secondly, the reading was done quite well, keeping the story alive at all times. Highly recommended.

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excellent story and narration

An exceptional narration one of my favourite books. My commute seemed much shorter, double plus good!

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Terrifying

Possibly the most well written horrifying thing I have ever read in my life. Thank God I live when I live.

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required reading

required reading for comrades of all ages preparing for service, I wonder if Welles liked the real 1984 before he died

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amazing my first audiobook.

I'm super excited to try another book, if all are similar to this it's worth it..

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classic

loved it. frightening how close to today insoc could be. look out for BB and the telly

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Beyond excellent

This is a book that I somehow managed to skip while in school. I had seen the movie previously and always felt there was a lot missing in that story. I am so glad that I chose to download this audio version.

The narrator is superb. Simon Prebble had me hanging on to his every word. I found myself talking back to the book "No Winston, don't!"

The detail in which Winston's inner thoughts are described is amazing. The insight into the human condition and our need for love, relationship, freedom and power is expertly presented in this novel.

You know it is good when you continue to think about long after the book is read. I cant stop thinking about it.

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Great book, scary familiar!

I enjoyed this book tremendously, however, it is thoroughly scary with the current parallels of today's monolithic government.. How else can we the the grip of government wrapping it's hands around us in every way that matters under the lie of safety and security. Money, health, retirement plans.. I stay away from politics mostly because people turn into fascists, foaming at the mouth if you don't agree with their view.. This book is a warning to people who want the security of an all powerful, ruling elite to run their lives.

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Amazing forward thinking

The author was a genius! Oftentimes the book was difficult to read. I read this book back in the 70's & to re-read it again in 2017 is even more frightening than before.

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Great book, gets your gears turning

Great book and likely more relevant today than ever before. It really got my mind ticking.

The performance was good but the English accent of the reader made it a more involved listen for me, as I had to re-listen to some of the lines to catch what he was saying

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