By Jake Weatherill from Lewisham Branch
 Library Copy of 1984 |
1984 by George Orwell
One of the true literary classics, and the last work that George Orwell would complete and publish in his lifetime, 1984 is one of those books that’s known around the world, across generations. For an author of Orwell’s standards who has turned out more than one book that you could claim to be a masterpiece it is 1984 that is often touted as his Magnum Opus. The masterpiece in a bibliography of some of the finest works of literature. As you might imagine 1984 is set in, well, 1984, in a dystopian world where only three Superstates exist in a constant state of war. The Party governs Oceania based on the principles of Ingsoc. Britain is now simply Airstrip One.
We follow Winston Smith who lives in London and works at the Ministry of Truth. His life lived in fear of The Party and under the ever watchful eye of Big Brother. Orwell makes a story that is both absolutely enthralling while constantly creating a sense of paranoia, and an atmosphere of uncertainty. Orwell builds a terrifying regime inspired by the Stalinist Era USSR, and many interpret 1984 as a rebuffing of ‘Socialism’ in general, which is hardly case. Orwell remained an ardent Socialist his whole life, if anything 1984 is rebuttal to all totalitarian regimes. However I would go so far as to argue it’s not so much a rebuttal as a warning of sorts. Orwell uses the idea of reality and history as two indisputable cornerstones to what freedom is to his mind. Freedom is as much about being able to say ‘2+2=4’ as it is to love who one wants, and be free to live without fear.
 |
| Library Copy of The Divine Comedy |
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
The Divine Comedy, much like Paradise Lost, represents one of the epic poems of theological literature. Set on Good Friday 1300, finding Dante Alighieri wandering a path through a dark wood, beset by beasts. At 35 he is halfway through the biblical lifespan. Saved by Virgil Alighieri is given a glimpse of what lies beyond this world. Split into three parts, each consisting of 33 Cantos The Divine Comedy sees Alighieri and his guide venture from the depths of Hell, up through Purgatory, before venturing into Heaven.
Showing a mixture of religious reverence, tempered by a dark irony throughout. Again, not unlike Paradise Lost, this has gone from being a religious literary triumph to being ingrained into the cultural psyche. It’s inspired games and other literature, reaching a nadir of cultural and artistic transcendence that few works can hope to achieve.
 |
| Library Copy of Becoming |
Becoming by Michelle Obama
I will say I find it difficult to write about autobiographies, which is generally why I avoid writing about them. That being said, as has been stated previously on here, 30B430 (cool acronym, right? Very hashtagable) is about trying new things, and I had always wanted to read Becoming, so what better excuse to sharpen my skills? Here’s the thing, I have spent hours wracking my brains on how to write this entry.
This is a powerful, engrossing, and uplifting book. I want to find the right words but it’s not as easy as you think. I couldn’t stop reading this book. It has the ability to take you from moments of profound sadness to elation with the click of fingers. Yet those descriptions still don’t feel apt. What I have realised is that when it comes to autobiographies the only words that can truly do the subjects life justice are the writers own words.
 |
| Library Copy of Nemesis |
Nemesis by Mark Millar & Steve McNiven
If you were a billionaire orphan what would you do? Be a philanthropist? A dandy? A vigilante? Or perhaps you might just become a criminal mastermind hell bent on chaos? Well buckle up for the creative team behind Marvel’s hit comic Civil War take on that question.
Nemesis was initially promoted and conceived on a simple yet terrifying premise: What if Batman was The Joker? What if rather than put their trauma into protect the innocent, they instead decided they wanted to live a life of crime? Millar and McNiven decided to play this as more of a low key affair focused on action, but there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked from start to finish.
 |
Paradise Lost by John Milton
Written from 1658 to 1664 when John Milton was 60 and blind, dictated to his daughters, this poem is largely seen as his masterpiece.
This is the work that embedded Milton into the psyche of English Literature, leading him to inspire the likes of William Blake, William Wordsworth and Thomas Hardy. Paradise lost is thought to have been written as a quasi-commentary on the failures of The State in the aftermath of the English Civil War, as well as a musing on the nature of God. Written in the classic style of the Roman and Greek epics such as The Iliad, Paradise Lost eschews rhyming Stanzas in favour of an epic poetic narrative.
Spanning from the Fall of Lucifer from Heaven to Adam & Eve’s departure from Paradise. Milton paints God as a wicked, almost uncaring being, who is tempered by those around him.
Yet despite the depiction of God there are glimmers of hope, showing Milton at the very least has a belief and faith in the potential of humanity.
Epilouge:
I honestly spent ages trying to work out how to close this series. Usually I would say something brief and hopefully vaguely witty. Yet given the significance of this for me I felt I couldn’t go down my usual route.By the time you read this there’s a good chance I will already be 30. So I just wanted to thank you for sticking with me on this odyssey to widen my horizons, it means a lot. I also want to thank our fantastic E-Librarian Claire for helping me make this series possible. Anyway, I think I should go before I start gushing.
Thank you all, peace and chicken grease peeps!
Comments