Books

First edition, first impression. Warning against totalitarianism in any guise, Orwell's final book has exerted a monumental impact on the English language, coining terms such as "double think" and "Big Brother". "No novel of the past century has had more influence than George Orwell's 1984. The title, the adjectival form of the author's last name, the vocabulary of the all-powerful party... It's almost impossible to talk about propaganda, surveillance, authoritarian politics, or pervasions of truth without dropping a reference to 1984" (Packer). Octavo (183 x 115 mm). Modern red half morocco by Tom Butler, spine lettered in gilt and titled 1984 in repeated blind numbers between two raised bands, decorative paper sides, brown endpapers, top and fore edges yellow, binder's pencilled inscription on front free endpaper. Foxing to edges and occasional margins, closed tear to upper outer corner of pp. 131/2. A near-fine copy. Fenwick A12a. George Packer, "Doublethink Is Stronger Than Orwell Imagined", The Atlantic, July 2019.

"1984" is a dystopian novel set in a totalitarian society ruled by a party led by the enigmatic figure, Big Brother. The story revolves around Winston Smith, a disillusioned man working for the Party whose job involves altering historical records to align with the Party's propaganda. Winston secretly harbors dissenting thoughts against the oppressive regime and begins a forbidden love affair with Julia, a fellow rebel. As they engage in acts of rebellion and attempt to challenge the Party's control, they are drawn into a web of surveillance, manipulation, and betrayal. The novel explores themes of censorship, surveillance, the nature of truth, the dangers of totalitarianism, and the resilience of the human spirit against oppressive regimes.