George Orwell’s 1984

An Audible Original adaptation

By: George Orwell, Joe White - adaptation

Narrated by: Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott, Tom Hardy, Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther, Katie Leung

Length: 3 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From the age of uniformity.
From the age of solitude and doublethink.
From the age of Big Brother.
From me, Winston Smith.
Greetings.

It’s 1984, and life has changed beyond recognition. Airstrip One, formerly known as Great Britain, is a place where Big Brother is always watching, and nobody can hide. Except, perhaps, for Winston Smith. Whilst working at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history, he secretly dreams of freedom. And in a world where love and sex are forbidden, where it’s hard to distinguish between friend and foe, he meets Julia and O’Brien and vows to rebel.

Starring Andrew Garfield as Winston, Cynthia Erivo as Julia, Andrew Scott as the alluring, mysterious O’Brien, and featuring Tom Hardy as Big Brother, Audible presents a new dramatization of George Orwell’s classic tale. An immersive listening experience like none you’ve heard before, at a time when it has all never felt more chillingly relevant.

Featuring a haunting original score composed by Muse’s lead singer and songwriter Matthew Bellamy and Ilan Eshkeri, recorded by the London Metropolitan Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, the production is directed by BAFTA Award winner Destiny Ekaragha, produced in Dolby Atmos by Granny Eats Wolf, and dramatised by Olivier Award nominated writer Joe White.

Also starring Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther and Katie Leung.

Featuring Ian Abeysekera, Rachel Atkins, Grace Baker, Joanna Brookes, Clare Corbett, Doug Devaney, Imogen Front, Sam Garioch, Raj Ghatak, Frances Jeater, Mason Moore, Yasmin Mwanza, Harry Myers, Kaelum Nelson, John Sackville, Sienna Sangha, Sam Stafford, Jo Troy, Jenny White, Sarah Whitehouse & Alix Wilton Regan

This adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 is an immersive listening experience, containing scenes that some may find uncomfortable. Listener discretion is advised.

Available in Dolby Atmos.

©The Estate of the late Sonia Brownell Orwell / Public Domain (P)2023 Audible Ltd

A Revelation!

This is easily the best audio drama I have ever heard. I confess that 1984 is my favorite book of all time, but that hardly matters because this production stands firmly on its own merits. When I first learned that there was to be a new audio drama of 1984, I was disappointed that it wasn’t to be a new reading of the book. It’s been my experience that audio dramas never live up to the experience of the book it’s based upon. Until now. It is its own thing, parts of the story are cut for time; parts are condensed and combined, but these things are done masterfully. The tone of oppression and terror remain; if anything they are heightened over that of the book. I was concerned about the use of music, worried that it would distract from the story and performances, but it actually disappears into the story, becoming part of it. Likewise the background effects, pitch perfect throughout. What really sets this production on a pedestal are the performances, particularly Andrew Garfield. He is a revelation as Winston. It is, quite honestly, one of the best examples of acting I have ever experienced. He holds nothing back. Andrew Scott, one of my favorite actors, is the perfect O’Brien, so chillingly calm in his brutality. Tom Hardy as Big Brother has become *the* voice I will hear for Big Brother no matter the medium. Cynthia Ervino is the perfect, confident and cocksure Julia. But it is Garfield who turns this already shining experience to pure gold.

Amazing!

There are no words to describe this. Loved it!!!!! It is thoughtfully put together and so many feelings were had while listening to this. What a journey!

Are we in 1984?

It’s almost like he was a profit. Everything that has been said in here has basically felt like we’re living in it right now after 2020 through 2024 now we’re being told that just because it’s one thing and educationally wise it equals a number we’re being told it’s not that way that it has different views that science no longer exist in true form 1984 was eye-opening and scary.

Excellent

A nice revisit to a classic / standard. I’m not sure where 1984 stands. Everyone should have a good experience with this version
Nicely Done

This dramatization brought the story alive in a way the movies haven’t been able to do

Fantastic edition of 1984. It’s a dramatization instead of a word for word recitation. Andrew Garfield does a spectacular job as Winston. The whole cast, the music, the sounds, the details, really makes this something worth listening to. 10/10 recommend.

Thrill and Chill

Wow. I've read the book before, but this brings it completely to life which runs chills up and down my spine. It makes you wonder, though. How close are we to this actually being real?

Amazing! Cast was amazing!

I love full performances like this, Andrew Garfield was amazing as always! Hope to see (hear) him do more audiobooks!

Quick and dirty

Much easier to stomach than the book. Still has the right depressing vibe tho. I love Big Brother!

Andrew Garfield's acting was fantastic

Excellent presentation. It allowed you to immerse yourself fully in the story. Very well done

Haunting

The sound design, effects, cast, and music all combined to create an incredible experience. I highly recommend this.