Booknotes : Julia, 1984 (A Retelling)
Dystopian warning on totalitarianism with a feminism spin
🛒 Julia, 1984 by Sandra Newman Kinokuniya MY | Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle | Amazon Audible
Book Details
Published in 19 Oct, 2023
400 pages
Classics, Politics, Fiction, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Literature, Feminism, Retellings, Historical Fictions
Atmosphere
Similarly to 1984, only that the universed is potrayed by a lens of a woman. Be ready as this book is quite intense. If you’ve watched and like Black Mirror on Netflix, this is for you!
Oppressive, bleak, and suffocating; a world under constant surveillance and control where individuality is suppressed.
A gist of thoughts
Julia, 1984 by Sandra Newman
The book is divided into three parts: Part 1 introduces Julia and explores her world when she first meets Winston. Mostly shows how woman struggles to navigate life in this universe. Part 2 delves into Julia's daily life and activities, which are kept secret from Winston. Part 3 follows their journey beyond their capture and imprisonment.
Potrays a dystopian world where totalitarianism reigns. It warns of the dangers of unchecked government power, surveillance, and the erosion of individual freedom. You are being watched by Big Brother at all times, you can only use Newspeak language, if you are challenging the status quo you will be charged for commiting Thoughtcrime and you are only allowed to believe/ to comply what was said by the government. This book serves as a stark reminder of the importance of resisting oppression and defending democratic values.
Favourite quotes, words & others
The image I found and added to the blog serves as an illustrative representation to help convey the essence of what I read.
The book annotations (few of many that I annotated)
"Things will happen to you from which you could not recover, if you lived a thousand years. Never again will you be capable of ordinary human feeling. Everything will be dead inside you. Never again will you be capable of love, or friendship, or joy of living , or laughter, or curiosity, or courage, or integrity. You will be hollow. We shall squeeze you empty, and then we shall fill you with ourselves."
All her life, Julia had obeyed the unwritten rules that kept her far from guilt. She had known who was safe, and felt an unfeigned disgust for unsafe people. Instinctively she’d loved the lucky and clever. If she ever took a risk, it wasn’t for fools. It wasn’t for the dead or those half-dead. It was actually cruel to give them hope.
‘Yes,’ he said simply. ‘That’s the horrid thing. One has no choice, and yet one must live through it exactly as if one had.’
My reflections
Very much similar to 1984 description. Head on to read the booknotes here
Related booknotes : 1984, George Orwell
My thoughts
In Julia, we witness the 1984 universe through the eyes of a woman, offering a different perspective from the bleak portrayal in the original book. Julia's perspective adds an ominous yet refreshing dimension to the story.
As a young mechanic in the Ministry of Truth's Fiction Department, Julia loves working with machinery and the engineering behind it. Initially appearing as an ideal citizen, she publicly embraces the Party but secretly rebels against the oppressive regime after meeting and falling for Winston.
We gain insight into Julia's daily life, interactions, and routines, including encounters with other women like Vicky, who falls for Julia. Julia's rebellion, cleverness, and ability to evade surveillance, such as visiting the black market for forbidden items like chocolate, add depth to her character.
Julia's fate after being caught with Winston raises questions: What does she think of Winston? What is her moral value justification of this world? Did she fall for Vicky? What are her true feelings towards Big Brother? The portrayal of artificial insemination (Artsem) as a preferred method for procreation and the struggles women face in navigating relationships and intimacy in this dystopian world are particularly disturbing and thought-provoking.
Overall, Julia's perspective offers valuable insights and raises important questions about gender dynamics, oppression, and resistance in Orwell's dystopian universe. However, I may have reservations about her character, especially when compared to someone like Daisy from "Daisy Jones & The Six (Ugh!)
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5.0 Stars, Dumbledore's Wisdom! A pure wizardry experience. This book is one to remember and revisit time and time again. I appreciate how the dystopian world was portrayed from a woman's perspective, offering a refreshing alternative view to the heavily discussed 1984 universe.
The character development, especially that of Julia, is exceptionally well-crafted. Through Julia's eyes, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of life in the universe, touching on themes of rebellion, surveillance, and gender dynamics. The portrayal of women as mere apparatus for procreation and the varying responses to the totalitarian regime add depth to the narrative.
Julia emerges as a strong and clever woman who navigates the oppressive society with resilience. Though perhaps too young for Winston, their shared experiences of being broken by the totalitarian regime create a compelling bond between them.
This is a perfect feminist read for all women, reminding us to be mentally strong and resilient while advocating for democratic and gender equality. It serves as an excellent companion to 1984, offering a balanced perspective and enriching the overall narrative.
Definitely a timeless classic.
Related booknotes : 1984
Here’s how I rate books I read #feminism #strongfemalecharacter #dystopian #australianauthor
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