1984 is a classic novel for a reason! It is insanely popular, and many people can relate to it and the questions it posits. Speaking about how those in power are manipulating, spying, and censoring information the public is receiving, these stories have a voice that keeps you intrigued and in suspense, just like George Orwell’s 1984. The warning that these books spread remains relevant to this very day.
If 1984 appeals to you then the books listed below will be right up your alley. Ranging from other classic books to a more modern spin on the cautionary tale, hopefully, one of these peaks your interest!
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5. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Like 1984, the theme of standing against the ‘regime’ leading to torture and death is common between these two books. Both fear and hunger are used to help keep the population in control. By implementing these tactics, and continue to repress and control the masses in order to maintain leadership. While who is doing the repressing and why are different between the two novels, one can still find parallels.
Lord of the Flies focuses heavily on the innate evil within humanity while 1984 focuses on suppressing humanity to get desired results from people. No matter the reason, the how, or the why, these two novels focus on spreading a warning about believing those in power and believing the false information that is readily available.
Why we recommend this book: Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a chilling exploration of human nature that echoes the themes of societal breakdown found in 1984. Golding’s masterful portrayal of children descending into savagery on a deserted island serves as a stark allegory for the fragility of civilization, making it a must-read for fans of dystopian literature.
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
The government has complete control, both in The Cather in the Rye and in 1984. Both authors use their narratives to voice their distaste for a particular branch of authority. A voice that conveys loneliness and propaganda to scare and convey a theme of seriousness and unease that showcases some of the darker aspects of humanity and how to suppress it.
Emotions are vital to humanity and both books showcase suppression of multiple types of emotion. As stated beautifully in The Catcher in the Rye, “You don’t grasp the beauty of the destruction of words”.
Why we recommend this book: Though not a dystopian novel, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger captures the alienation and disillusionment that resonate with readers of 1984. Holden Caulfield’s raw, introspective narrative offers a poignant critique of societal norms and the loss of innocence, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate deep character studies and social commentary.
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3. The Giver by Lois Lowry
ISBN: 9780385732550
The biggest common connection between 1984 and The Giver is the suppression of emotion. By controlling people’s individual emotions and how they communicate about them, you can control a population more easily. By censoring language, they are able to control how people are expressing emotions. To be able to do this both books show us a certain level of control over the citizens, as the citizens will report people – even the ones they are close to.
From there the novels diverge in how their societies function and are monitored and punished. But you can see ties and similarities throughout each novel as you read between the pages to decipher the warning.
Why we recommend this book: The Giver by Lois Lowry presents a seemingly perfect society that, like 1984, conceals a dark truth beneath its surface. Lowry’s haunting exploration of conformity, memory, and individual freedom in a controlled world offers a more nuanced and accessible take on dystopian themes, making it an excellent follow-up for fans of Orwell’s classic.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
These books have similar views on nationalism and how the population is constantly watched over and censored. A central government that uses knowledge control, scare tactics, and other ways to spy on you, as well as the rapid spread of paranoia of what happens when you get caught, are prevalent in both books.
When reading these two, you have to decide which reality is the worst.
Why we recommend this book: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood offers a chilling vision of a totalitarian society that parallels the oppressive world of 1984. Atwood’s dystopian narrative, focused on gender oppression and reproductive rights, provides a thought-provoking and eerily plausible extension of current social issues, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate Orwell’s cautionary tales.
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1. WE by Yevgeny Zamyatin
WE actually came out before 1984, having been published back in the 1920s. There have been many people theorizing that this book is what inspired 1984, and it is said Orwell admitted that this book was an inspiration to him. It’s easy to see why people ask that question because both books have similarities in the warnings and precautions they are narrating.
It might be easier to describe the differences between the two books, rather than the similarities as there are so many.
Why we recommend this book: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin is a pioneering dystopian novel that influenced Orwell’s 1984. Set in a totalitarian future where individuality is suppressed, it explores themes of freedom, conformity, and the cost of a perfectly ordered society, offering readers a chance to see the roots of the genre and appreciate the enduring power of its ideas.
The totalitarian government reigns supreme in both books. Each book focuses on a victim or someone who realizes what this type of society is doing, the paranoia that comes with this realization, and a way to escape such intense scrutiny and gaze of said government.
