With the recent activities in politics, and the discussion of alternative facts, it’s no shock that George Orwell’s 1984 has become a top seller. In fact, the book has become so popular that it’s set to come to Broadway this year.
If, by some weird, unnatural chance, you didn’t have to read 1984 or any of Orwell’s work in high school let me break it down for you. Orwell is kind of a Debby-downer, but he was an amazing author who focused on dystopian literature. From 1984 and Animal Farm, it’s very easy to see where George’s mindset was.
1984 is a book about a world where the government controls what the people think, and uses alternative facts to do so. The terms “Big brother” and “Double speak” both come from this book, and set the tone for what happens in the story. There is also the popular slogan “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength,” yeah, it’s a pretty intense story. Without ruining it for you, the spark in government using these methods of alternative facts and double speak has resulted in a spike in 1984 sales. Honestly, if you haven’t read it you should.
But now the book is coming to Broadway, June 22 at the Hudson Theatre. This isn’t the first time the book is being adapted into a play, 1984 has been very popular in London. The cast has not yet been revealed, but hopefully this play will be as eye-opening as it is entertaining.