Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Feb 2013 · BBC Digital Audio · Narrated by Tim Pigott-Smith

About this audiobook

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster and the Thought Police uncover each act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101... Nineteen Eighty-Four is George Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian future in which everything and everyone is slave to a tyrannical regime. Christopher Eccleston, Tim Pigott-Smith and Pippa Nixon star in this new drama, part of BBC Radio 4's The Real George Orwell season - a Radio 4 journey that explores the disjuncture between the man who was Eric Blair and the writer who was George Orwell.

Ratings and reviews

The performers are absolutely brilliant and it was such an immersive dramatisation, so I would definitely recommend. I just wish it wasn't so shortened and the story and climaxes seem rushed every now and then (⚠ Spoiler Alert ⚠ I particularly think that Winston's betrayal of Julia at the end was a little rushed and was completely unprompted by the interrogator.)

About the author

George Orwell (Author)
George Orwell (1903–1950) is one of England's most famous writers and social commentators. He is the author of the classic political satire Animal Farm and the dystopian masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four. He is also well known for his essays and journalism, particularly his works covering his travels and his time fighting in the Spanish Civil War. His writing is celebrated for its piercing clarity, purpose and wit and his books continue to be bestsellers all over the world.