A review by ed_moore
1985 by Anthony Burgess

dark informative inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Burgess’ ‘1985’ is a two part commentary on Orwell’s 1984, the first part as series of essays on 1984 that explored the role of Bakunin in the birth of anarchism, how Orwell’s broadcasting house reflects Room 101, the idea of a cacotopia being a state of cacophony beyond a dystopia and how the term Orwellian is now used in events that really aren’t Orwellian, but minor inconveniences. These were fascinating and I often caught myself saying myself how exciting or engaging a certain point in these essays were. 

My review of this is complicated by part two, Burgess’ own interpretation of an Orwellian dystopia, which unfortunately I cannot make the same praises about. 1985 follows Bev Jones in a future where Orwell was killed in the Spanish Civil War and never wrote 1984. Therefore a different dystopia has formed where Britain is known as Tucland, it is under muslim governance and there is constant worker strikes amid a socialist state. Where elements of this are supposed to parallel Orwell’s dystopia, most parts feel like they are included for no particular reason and the worldbuilding of 1985 is generally confusing and flat, taking 1984 into account or viewing 1985 as an independent story. Things happen suddenly, resolve suddenly and a lot occurs with no real reason or explanation. The circumstance of constant strikes is an interesting and well done element, I just feel Burgess tries to include more alternate realities beyond this and it really just complicates the narrative and adds little.

The essays would warrant 5 stars, but regarding the narrative part as the main text my opinions on the book as a whole therefore suffer.