Member Reviews
This graphic novel edition of George Orwell's 1984 is a great addition to any Orwellian collection. For those who want to read the novel, but do not want to commit to reading the classic, this is edition is perfect. Not only does it tell the story and do justice to the original text, it also shows the story with excellent art that aptly communicates the emotions of the scenes.
Wow this was my first graphic novel and it was out of this world amazing. I loved every single second of it. I haven't read the actual novel of 1984 but reading this graphic novel has really made me want to read the novel this book sells it so well, I would love to find out how they compare and which provides the greatest emotions. The illustrations in this graphic novel are stunning it left me in awe. The use of the colour red was so powerful and expressive so many emotions are held in each picture and the text accompanying was so sharp it just worked in perfect synchronicity. I will be definitely be looking out for more graphic novels from this author and publishers. Matyas Namai really captures the atmosphere stunningly. I felt permanently on edge and was struck by how terrifying this novel actually is. The pictures held so much power and where very unsettling and disturbing. Im so glad I read this version before I tackled the actual novel as im prepared for the real thing.
I felt only using the 3 colours was amazing it was a genius way of making the reader understand the power each image held and the author captures this extremely well.
If there was a 6th or even 7th star this graphic novel would get it without a doubt in my mind this is the best book published in 2021 as its a outstanding read.
So much praise to the author and publishers for producing this superbly stunning, gripping, edge of your seat powerful graphic novel. I cannot recommend this book enough everyone over 18 needs to own this book you won't regret it one bit.
This review was placed on goodreads, amazon waterstones and Barnes&noble and kobo today under my name or ladyreading365 and on my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/1984-by-matyas-namai-george-orwell-palazzo-editions-5-stars
I honestly am not sure at all how to rate this. I have somehow managed to avoid reading 1984 in school, so this is my first experience with this story. It's definitely a very graphic graphic novel, but I think that's necessary to really get the full effect of the story. The illustrations were very cold and grim, mostly black and white with some red here and there, and it made you FEEL the despair in the story. It's a much more accessible story than the original, and while I can't say that I liked it, it was well done and an interesting story.
I received this ARC courtesy of Netgalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review.
Love this!
Giving new life to classics is my new favourite. The story pulls you in any way, but having it in this lovely style and as a graphic novel is just wonderful! A delight!
My thanks to Palazzo Editions for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley of ‘George Orwell’s 1984’ by George Orwell with illustrations by Matyáš Namai in exchange for an honest review.
I felt that this was a superb graphic novel adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian classic. Matyáš Namai’s powerful and dynamic artwork enhances Orwell’s original words. While mainly executed in black and white with shades of grey, he occasionally uses slashes of red to great effect, such as Julia’s sash or when blood is spilled.
I found this graphic novel faithful to its source as well as bringing a new dimension to the narrative through Matyáš Namai’s memorable visuals. I was very impressed by it on all counts, though some scenes were difficult to view. Yet, ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ has always been a disturbing novel by its very nature and remains both timely and relevant.
A graphic novel such as this is bound to have a wide appeal including to educators and both public and school librarians. It is a way of bringing this classic to the attention of readers who might be hesitant about text only yet find themselves naturally more engaged by a graphic novel format.
Highly recommended.
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”...
A striking visualisation of Orwell's classic '1984'. This is a true graphic novel which is not afraid to bring to life the many disturbing aspects of Orwell's original text (the representation of torture is truly terrifying!). The use of black and white with only red used as an accent in places is powerful and the illustrations are very detailed. There is a lot of text in sections which might be a bit harder for the reader to digest/get through. It is an interesting way of bringing 1984 and its messages to life in a visual way. It is not a quick read as your eye has to take in all of the details in the illustrations as well as read through the text but I think that is a great way to immerse yourself into Orwell's work. I still think it would be important to read the book before you read the graphic novel so that you can fully appreciate it. An interesting adaptation and a gripping story as always!
Thank you to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for the ARC in return for my honest review.
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”
Winston Smith is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in the nation of Oceania. Everywhere Winston goes, even his own home, the Party watches him through telescreens; everywhere he looks he sees the face of the Party’s seemingly omniscient leader, Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, even the people’s history and language. Now, the Party is forcing the use of an invented language called Newspeak which will prevent political insurgency by eliminating all words related to it. Even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such thoughtcrime is, in fact, the worst of all crimes. But a seed of dissent grows in Winston—one that will bring him into direct conflict with the Party, and with devastating consequences.
The book is outstanding. If you are a fan of George Orwell’s book then you should not miss this one. The graphics are excellent and its a really different experience to read a classic as a graphic novel. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read the book.
Firstly, I did give up on the digital version as the file size seemed to overwhelm Adobe! Taking a while to 'refresh' on many pages, stopped a third way through as the book arrived to buy and finish.
An excellent adaption. A lengthy graphic novel that encapsulated the book and story in detail, so well worth reading as an alternate to the novel for those who prefer the graphic form. The artwork is excellent throughout, b/w with red aspects. I saw one or two comments about more 'variety' in colour being preferred: I don't agree and feel that the graphic style suits the starkness of the book, it's narrative and themes.
Definitely recommend for both those new to 1984 and those familiar with the novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Palazzo Editions, George Orwell, and Matyas Namai for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
As an educator, I thought this graphic novel was a great way to approach the classic 1984. There are many take-aways about government control that can be related to current events that can also bring about excellent class discussions. The graphic novel adaptation really felt like I was re-reading the whole book. The language was the same and it didn't feel like it skipped around. This is a great new way to approach this iconic novel, though it still takes quite some time to read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
I wanted to read this book as lately I have been really enjoying graphic novel adaptations such as Kindred and Slaughterhouse 5. However the format that this file was sent to me was nearly unreadable. It look 30 seconds to process even a portion of a page. This really effected my enjoyment of the novel so I think I will come back and update my review when I've read this book properly in a different format.
I received a gorgeous physical copy of this book from the publisher Palazzo Editions, after my Netgalley e-arc didn’t download properly, so thank you so much to them for that.
I’d not read 1984 before, and was intrigued to learn the story of Big Brother, so I was excited to see a graphic novel available. This was very easy to read and easy to understand the story of 1984.
I was surprised at some parts, shocked at Winston hiding in the only corner of his house where the cameras can’t see you. The thought that the government could be watching you at all times, in your own homes through your tv, is a scary thought. So do I get the rebellious side of the people who wanted to revolt? Of course. I didn’t see the person who was undercover being the person it was, I thought it was going to be someone else.
I liked the relationship between Winston and Julia, it was like finding a bit of happiness in the darkness. My daughter asked if she could read it as she has done some school stuff on 1984 (she’s 13), but there are some graphic pictures in the book so I don’t think it’s suitable for young teens.
Thanks again so much to Palazzo Editions for my gorgeous physical copy, and thanks to Netgalley for my e-arc.
This was such a great rerelease of this book. The graphics make it feel very modern. The story, as always, was gripping. Who can imagine this type of plot- fabulous!
A lovely graphic novel that has a great plot and artwork! I will definitely be sharing this with my students as they are in love with great stories!
Thank you for approving my request! I struggled to open this file in Adobe Reader, it would only load the first and last three pages and could not open via the NetGalley App - possibly just my computer but wanted to let you know!
1984 has been on my “to read” shelf for many years. I even tried listening to it on audiobook several months ago but discovered it needed more undivided attention then I could give it on my daily commute. I was, therefore, delighted when I saw this graphic novel adaptation of the book.
The graphics set the right tone for the book. They successfully portrayed the bleakness, hopelessness, and complete lack of morals in the dystopian society. The use of black, white and the occasional red also helped create the right mood.
Unfortunately, the written element of the book wasn’t as effective for me. I found it much too wordy and confusing at times. I felt like there were things I was missing or was expected to already know, and I found myself wondering if the graphic novel was meant to be a companion to the original work.
I suspect that those who are already familiar with 1984 will appreciate this adaptation, but those who aren’t familiar with the book may want to read it first before picking up this version.
Thank you to NetGalley and Palazzo Editions for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#GeorgeOrwells1984 #NetGalley
Interesting remake of a classic. It distilled the core messages and layered on interesting artwork. I would recommend this book as a nice addition to the original.
Very competently, if slightly dryly, done, this faithful adaptation of the Orwell – credited with him as the author, and with no adaptor or other influence on the script mentioned in the credits as I saw them – presents the horrors of London at war, Room 101, the whole country under sexless subjugation... You probably know the drill if you come to this, but if you don't this is very much an easy way in – the visuals easily convey the Stalinism involved, the puppetry made out of humans, and the Proles even further down the food chain. Grainy black and white, with touches of red so rarefied Sin City's colourist would call them underdone, this runs at a third the time of the audio book versions I've seen advertised, so it's a bit of a surprise there is not the sprightliness that really would have helped sell this. But it never really seemed too verbose, rather the comprehensive, plusgood, well-crafted adap. The illustrated sections of "The Book" did seem on the less necessary side, mind.
A classic tale brought to life with marvellous illustrations.
I love '1984' and I must have read it a dozen times so far. I got very excited at the prospect of an illustrated version and I wasn't disappointed.
The excellent illustrations add vigour. A must read for all Orwell fans!
Illustrator Matyáš Namai really does George Orwell’s 1984 justice with this graphic novel based on the novel. The starkness of the artwork gives an added dimension of darkness to this dystopian story published in 1949. Orwell’s story is timeless and terrifying, but Namai will bring this worthy book to a whole new audience. Very well done and still rings very true today.
Winston is a step up from a Prole. He is a member of the ruling Party in Oceania but has no power of his own. He is mindful that the Party watches everything he does, including things in his subconscious and while he is sleeping. He is fully aware that thoughtcrimes are the worst crimes you can commit, but he can’t control himself, let alone his thoughts. Winston is tempted and encouraged to rebel against the Party, but what is he willing to endure for freedom of thought?
1984: The Graphic Novel is a new adaptation to the 1949 classic. Although the graphics are disturbing and engaging, somehow this version of the story was not any easier to get through. I will admit I read the original over 30 years ago and remember loving it, but this version was not a quick and easy read like most graphic novel adaptations. With that being said, it was done well and I am actually planning to re-read the original now to see if I still enjoy the full story.