I had previously read 1984 but I couldn't resist the opportunity to hear Peter Capaldi's narration. This is the perfect match of book and narrator. I listen to a good number of audiobooks and this is very well done. Recommended and certainly one I will listen to again.

This is such a good book and still just as relevant as it was when it was first written and published, maybe even more so now. The year is 1984 and Winston Smith struggles to accept the bleak world in which he lives, where the governing party has always ruled and where the truth keeps being re-written to suit whatever narrative Big Brother wants. But nobody should appear to be unhappy with Big Brother or the way party rules. And without knowing who he can trust, Winston has to be careful to not let the party find out that he has thoughts against the system. But one day, when he makes a mistake while out after work one day, it isn’t long before he suspects one of his co-workers might report him.

I first read Nineteen Eighty-Four when I was in college, it wasn’t a set text, I just read it for myself and I was swept away with just how brilliant it was then. But after quite a few years I had forgotten some parts of the story so when I got the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook, I jumped at the chance. The world of Nineteen Eighty-Four that Winston lives in is so bleak, and dystopian. The idea of Big Brother watching your every move and having to be on guard against the Thought Police at all times are ideas that many of us might have hard of, but this book really does make this dystopian world feel so eerie and creepy and I can’t help but feel like there are some scary parallels to our own world of today!

While Winston spends most of his days working in the Ministry of Truth, working to re-write historical text to suit whatever narrative Big Brother wants to portray, he spends his hours away from work visiting small shops and buying items that he shouldn’t. At first these are minor offences he seems to get away with, but soon Winston meets someone and the two begin spending a lot of time together, hiding from Big Brother and seeking out a resistance which Winston hopes exists. I don’t want to go into too much detail as the story really has an amazing impact when read (or listened to), but the dystopian world of London and the eerie atmosphere of fear can be felt from the start, and throughout every chapter.

The world and how it’s become this way is explained slowly through all the chapters and I love how creepy and eerie the whole story is, with so many things affecting the freedom and happiness of the characters. The poor quality of living standards, the quality of food and goods like cigarettes, and the way nobody can be trusted, not even the children that a neighbour of Winston’s has. There are a lot of creepy and eerie things that happen but it’s really what happens near the end in the Ministry of Love that has the most impact and is the most scary to read. The dystopian atmosphere is felt throughout and although this book was written a long time ago now, there are so many things that sound so close to our modern world of today, like the tele-screens that can watch you, sounding like our own mobile phones today (and the idea that some say they are listening). There are many examples but I don’t want to give them away, however this book will make you think about the world of today and how eerie and creepy our own world could become.

There’s never a dull moment in the story and even when Winston is reading something quite long from a book, it is still interesting. The story has three parts and each ends in an interesting and dramatic way, setting up the next part of the story well. It’s the last part that’s the most eerie to read though, especially as it reveals some very dark things which happen in the Ministry of Love. The story messes with the psychological state of the characters (and maybe even the reader) and it has a very good ending even if it’s not quite the ending you may have been hoping for. I do like how this book ends though, with those last words just adding to the overall scary, creepy, dystopian feel that the whole story has.

There is an appendix at the end of the book, all about newspeak, with some interesting things to hear so it’s worth listening to, or reading if you try this book. The narration on this audiobook, by Peter Capaldi, was just brilliant. He does a good job of making you feel the unsettling atmosphere of the entire story, and does a good job of using slightly different voices for the different characters. I haven’t heard any other audio version of this book before (if there is one) but Capaldi’s voice fits this book so well and I’d definitely recommend listing to this book if you want to try Nineteen Eighty-Four but might be reluctant to actually read the full-length text.

This is such a brilliant book and I’ll definitely be reading it again and listening to this adudiobook version again. At over twelve hours long, it takes some time to get through it, but wow does the book really set up this eerie dystopian vibe. George Orwell’s story is just as relevant a warning about what society can descend into as it was when he wrote it and I would recommend this book to everyone to read and have a real think about our world today, you might just star to see some eerie similarities!

This is a classic modern novel and I have already read it several times, but it was a real treat to be able to listen to an audiobook version.
The story is known by most, I think, but without giving away any spoilers the plot deals with government surveillance, control, freedom of speech, and is a dystopian classic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this audiobook.

Great narration on this classic book.

As its such a classic I don't feel the need to review the actual book as so many have before me!

However, listening to this again has reminded me of why it's a classic as it continues to be relatable in every day life many years on.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Peter Capaldi is the perfect narrator for this, the most well known and well loved of dystopian stories. He manages to capture the tone of Winston Smith and his struggle with Big Brother so well, setting up an atmospheric tale that we'll transport you into this nightmarish tale of the future.

Nineteen Eighty Four is perhaps one of my favourite novels of all time. Orwell manages to weave political and social ideals into a world that is scarcely not too far removed from our own, and make us utterly terrified for watch the future holds. It also covers themes of obsession, inequality (not an entirely new idea for Orwell), censorship and authority. The use of mob mentality and subversion and transferable of power is also masterfully done, and demonstrates just how easily it is to manipulate the population to the whims of those in power.

A true masterpiece, and this audio is a wonderful way to experience the story all over again.

A beautiful narration of one of the greatest books of all time.

Penguin Classics have made classic audio books a joy to listen to.

Look around you. Watch TV. Talk to anyone. You don't just need to read this book. You're living and breathing it. Newspeak. Doublethink. Hate Week. Ministry of Truth. Big Brother. Junior Anti-Sex League. Thought Crime. Thought Police. Stop me if any of this sounds familiar. War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.

I loved this rendition of this brilliant classic! The narration was excellent and it was a fascinating read

Audio ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Audio review - narrator was brilliant. Excellent reading and really captured Winston's mindset throughout this harrowing novel.

The book - there's a reason that this is a classic. While I do believe Orwell suffered from leaning into the inbuilt human negativity bias too much at times, the message of this book is as relevant today as when it was first written. Yes, I know the year 1984 was a few decades ago now, and we're not living in the futuristic high tech societies promised by fifties sci-fi, but it really doesn't matter. 1984 and it's pov character Winston, speak to the human need for freedom and curiosity and the terrible consequences of that when you live in a society that intends to train you into certain lines of thought. There are frightening parallels here with our own society. The way those at the top contribute to keeping a dirt poor and repulsive underclass in place and a frustrated, mean and angry middle class above them. In 1984 this is carefully engineered. Someone is in control. It's a diabolical plan but there is a mastermind. In our own reality, no one is flying the plane and that's even more frightening.

In many ways the message of this book - question everything, do not succumb to lazy thought patterns where you don't verify information, strive to be free in your own mind at least - is reflected in trends in social media. It is so easy to end up with our own 'Big Brothers'. We form echo chamber communities online, expelling voices who disagree with ours. We pursue our own confirmation bias instead of accepting that it's possible to completely disagree with an opinion or a piece of information and yet still consider it from all angles. I genuinely believe this is an essential skill we are losing and we will be the poorer for it. The way it's so easy to fall from grace at the least infraction against the crowd is also shockingly apposite. Consider the last time you saw a Twitter dragging. It's so easy to get drawn in, and yet people say and d stupid things or may even have a point. Views contrary to yours are not necessarily evil.

I could go on but that's the subject for a podcast episode I think so I'll end it here. Orwell makes some excellent points. If this is a book you've always meant to read, don't put it off. It's not a happy story but it is an important one.

Having never read 1984 before, I was excited to finally give it a go! I found it a very interesting and thought-provoking read, and it's certainly still relevant today. For an older book, it is still fairly accessible and actually the writing style doesn't really feel dated at all. There are naturally some parts that haven't aged well (e.g. some definite misogyny) but for the most part this could have been written in the last 10 years. It was interesting to see how the book has influenced popular culture today - I was slightly aware that 'Big Brother' came from this but as I read I came across other things that I didn't know originated in this book. It was rather slow - for example the sections which are literally read out from a sort of textbook I did find pretty dull and hard to concentrate on - but because of this I think it works particularly well as an audiobook. Of course I have to mention the narrator - Peter Capaldi does a fantastic job on this and his narration worked perfectly for me.

Full review available at: https://talesfromabsurdia.com/book-reviews/nineteen-eighty-four-audiobook-review/
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Nineteen Eighty-Four is one of those timeless novels and a testament to the power of language.

Such is its influence, adaptations have spanned film, television, radio, the theatre, and even ballet! Not to mention the numerous pop culture nods to the novel.

Penguin’s latest edition is an audiobook, narrated by the incredibly charismatic Peter Capaldi – the second ‘doctor’ of Dr Who fame to be involved in a production, following Christopher Ecclestone’s 2013 dramatisation.

Capaldi’s a perfect fit for the role. His austere narration captures the solemnity of Orwell’s dystopian classic. It’s bleak, atmospheric, and terrifying – mirroring the novel itself.

The novel translates to audiobook almost flawlessly, thanks to the high quality audio you expect from Penguin Random House UK Audio, not to mention Peter Capaldi’s impeccable performance.

If you enjoy dystopian fiction, this is the novel for you.

And yet, this is to be somewhat reductive – Nineteen Eighty-Four audiobook (or paperback) is essential reading for anyone who values democracy and free expression.

Great book, and Peter was a fantastic narrator. Thr book kept me on the edge wondering throughout. Truly I still don't even know if I've formed any conclusions one way or the other, is he mad or is it real? Will definitely stick in my mind for time to come.
This book had been on my must read for a while and I was lucky enough to get an audio copy from the publishers and netgalley for an honest review.

Peter Capaldi is such an excellent narrator of this version of 1984 by George Orwell. I've not read this before and it's astonishing how current it is. I do wonder what Orwell would think of fronted adverbials and home school where we are all currently reliant on screens like never before. Very worth a listen.

'Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past'. Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal. George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece, Nineteen Eighty-Four is perhaps the most pervasively influential book of the twentieth century.
Before I carry on, Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell in exchange for my honest review. This has been a book I have meaning to read for the longest time and this year I thought I would tick it of my list.
I don’t normally read dystopian novels so I was a little out of my comfort zone, but I must say that I enjoyed every second of this book. I can really understand why this is a much-loved classic and why so many people have studied it as it is so relevant for the world we are living in. The story makes you view things in a different way and I think it will really influence me in day-to-day life.
I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated by Peter Capaldi. I found his voice very relaxing and calming. I do find it hard to concentrate on audiobooks as my mind always wonders off somewhere, but Peter Capaldi did not loose my attention once.
I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book and I highly recommend it to everyone. I also recommend the audiobook narrated by Peter Capaldi.

1984 is a timeless classic that was so ahead of its time. Read by the excellent Peter Capaldi he brought his magic to the story and I was emerged into the world of Winston Smith.

In a time where the past kept getting rewritten to suit the present time to the point there was no past. Brainwashed by the media, the government and its representatives. Forced to live how the government want, with no say in how anyone can live or speak. Even thoughts were not allowed. No freewill at all. It's clear to see why people are saying we are living this book right now. But sometimes they can remember. Very thought provoking

I think the plot for 1984 speaks for itself. The dystopian world of Big Brother is one most people are familiar with, and whilst this was my first time reading this book I feel I went into with some idea of what to expect.
Peter Capaldi's narration was absolutely perfect for this book. He created the perfect atmosphere, and his character voices really lifted the words of the page. I really enjoyed this book, I can't say that I loved the actual story (Animal Farm is the benchmark for me), but I couldn't fault this audiobook version. It was atmospheric, and hyper-realistic, and naturally I couldn't help making parallels to today's society.
This is a timeless book, and this version is just as timeless.

A remarkable book with a stunning reading, no matter how many times you've read it, you can listen to this again.

Like most people, I already have a copy of the Nineteen Eighty-Four on my bookshelves but the lure of the majestic Peter Capaldi tempted me into requesting a copy. He is a beguiling choice for the narrator of this recent edition of a genuine classic. Capaldi expertly guides the reader through the various stages of Winston’s emotions from Big Brother drone to a tortured soul. You hang on every intonation, especially during the inevitable destruction of Winston’s spirit. He makes the powerful words even more visceral.

Every generation brings more readers that have the satisfaction of discovering this powerful story for the first time and with more & more people using audiobooks to consume literature, having an actor of Capaldi’s gifts to read the book was a stunning decision.

The blending of the compelling & frightening words of Orwell and the voice of Capaldi is sublime and will wow all who hit play.

The classic 1984. It doesn't even require review. The story is always is perfect. The narrator's voice was very interesting, the way of speech ,changing voice tones, feeling of living inside the book everything was brought to life. The only part which I did not like was that the voice was very low, even despite increasing the volume of my device the audio was still a little low.

Big Brother in 1960s Easter Block Countries- that''s what this brought to mind for me. I'm so glad I listened to this as it's deep, heavy, intense at times and I thoroughly having it read to me but 'I'm not sure I'd have has the perseverance to continue with such intensity myself. It opened so many questions , so many avenues of thought. It is more poignant and thought provoking now that it ever was in the past. It is a must read, or must listen for anyone interested in the content but not prepared for the hard slog- like me!!!!