It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
1984

1984

The dystopian classic reimagined with cover art by Shepard Fairey

Summary

The perfect edition for any Orwell enthusiasts' collection, discover the classic dystopian masterpiece beautifully reimagined by renowned street artist Shepard Fairey

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every 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; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101. . .

First published in 1949, 1984 is George Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian future in which everything and everyone is slave to a tyrannical regime.

'Right up there among my favourite books . . . I read it again and again' Margaret Atwood

'More relevant to today than almost any other book that you can think of' Jo Brand


COMPLETE THE TRIO WITH SHEPARD FAIREY'S NEW-LOOK ANIMAL FARM AND DOWN AND OUT IN PARIS AND LONDON.

Reviews

  • His final masterpiece. Enthralling and indispensible for understanding modern history
    Timothy Garton Ash

About the author

George Orwell

Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), better known by his pen-name, George Orwell, was born in India, where his father worked for the Civil Service. An author and journalist, Orwell was one of the most prominent and influential figures in twentieth-century literature. His unique political allegory Animal Farm was published in 1945, and it was this novel, together with the dystopia of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), which brought him world-wide fame. His novels and non-fiction include Burmese Days, Down and Out in Paris and London, The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more