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The Ministry of Truth
- The Biography of George Orwell's 1984
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
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The Ministry of Truth
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Summary
1984 isn't just a novel; it's a key to understanding the modern world. George Orwell's final work is a treasure chest of ideas and memes - Big Brother, the Thought Police, Doublethink, Newspeak, 2+2=5 - that gain potency with every year. Particularly in 2016, when the election of Donald Trump made it a best seller (‘Ministry of Alternative Facts’, anyone?). Its influence has morphed endlessly into novels (The Handmaid's Tale), films (Brazil), television shows (V for Vendetta), rock albums (Diamond Dogs), commercials (Apple), even reality TV (Big Brother).
The Ministry of Truth by Dorian Lynskey is the first audiobook that fully examines the epochal and cultural event that is 1984 in all its aspects: its roots in the utopian and dystopian literature that preceded it; the personal experiences in wartime Britain that Orwell drew on as he struggled to finish his masterpiece in his dying days; and the political and cultural phenomena that the novel ignited at once upon publication and that, far from subsiding, have only grown over the decades. It explains how fiction history informs fiction and how fiction explains history.
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What listeners say about The Ministry of Truth
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- RAUL
- 16-04-21
A timely biography and comment
Whether or not you actually read 1984 you will still learn a lot from this book, about why alternative facts and lyong leaders make many people upset. Recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Asmodeous
- 05-06-19
Outstanding book and essential companion to 1984
I was so impressed with this book. It is everything I hoped for, shedding valuable insight and context to the George Orwell novel 1984. It is a true companion piece narrated by the very same person who did a great job of the audio version available on audible. Indeed it reads like a thriller in places and offers insight into the writing and significance of the work in the decades leading up to the publication and into the current era. I found it fascinating in its depth and was grateful for the clarity of is subject matter. A brilliant piece for any student of the text and such an entertaining and illuminating read. What is impressive is how the author brilliantly shows how the work resonates today and how the powerful elite use various ways to control and manipulate the masses. It outlines the depth and themes of the novel and the thinking and works that inspired Orwell himself. Really wonderful and so worth a credit. If you have an interest in the book, or an interest in the author or the political themes that drove Orwell then this is highly recommended.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- David Adams
- 28-12-20
insightful look at the man and book~☆
This has been an interesting look into life and writings of George Orwell, and his peers.
The narration was especially good.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 30-09-19
Very informative
The narratation is very dramatic. The historical context is very well researched. This book will especially interest literature lovers because there are so many references to Orwell's litereray influences, especially Aldous Huxley.
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- Moira macdonald
- 03-09-20
fascinating book,!
loved it . really enjoyed both halves the life of Orwell and the historic interpretation of the book 1984 and its impact
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Greg
- 09-03-21
Engaging
Very informative on George and 1984. Well written really enjoyed it. Great just after reading the book.
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- Ken Bryant
- 23-10-20
By far the best Orwell biography I have ever read
Very insightful and revealing of a very complex character, who constantly gave up limiting beliefs in exchange for better ones. An excellent crtitic of the world and of self, Orwell is my favourite write. Period.
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- Jon
- 06-06-19
The story of a book and an idea
Excellent and well thought out story of one of the most important books of the 20th century. When Trump talks about his warm welcome in Britain to 'cheering crowds' and about 'alternative truths' you know we need George Orwell like never before! It kills off a few of the myths around the title 1984 and gives you a good understanding of the man who wrote it. W
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- K. J. Kelly
- 27-07-19
Fascinating 'connect the dots' history
Unexpectedly fascinating 'connect the dots' history of the creation of a masterpiece.
This caught me up throughout in its breaking down of Orwell's own history and background, weaving together the threads that would become his magnum opus.
In two parts, we see how Orwell's life, his meetings with others, seeing wars and Communist revolutions, his work in propaganda, rivalry with writers, illnesses, all fed into the mind of the man who would create 'Nineteen Eighty Four'.
The second part looks at the book's effect on future films and books, music and culture in general, which was just as compelling a listen as its inception. It brings us right up to date with references to the Trump administration, and made me consider books and films I know and how they have been influenced.
'Behind the scenes' is always an enthralling genre for me, seeing how an author creates, but here the extra dimension of what came after, both for the book itself and its impact on the Western world since.
Well narrated, it was not difficult to follow as an audiobook. I'd recommend this method of connecting with the material.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Julian
- 07-06-19
Fascinating and terrifying
A fascinating exploration of one of my favourite books. The idea of writing a biography of a book works really well in this case as there’s so much to unpick before and after its publication.
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3 people found this helpful