I've wanted to pick up reading again since High School. I found a copy of Orwell's '1984' and finished it in 2 days. The last 2/3 of the book I completed in a solid 10-hour stretch. It's not that the book was THAT engrossing--I can't seem to stop myself from completing something that interests me, especially if I have less interesting things to do. (i.e. work, sleep, etc...) The thought of reading another book scares me though there are others I feel I should read. Unless I can learn to pace myself, it will just be one addictive behavior to replace another. It was a good book though, really made you think in an existential kinda way. Unfortunately, 'Brave New World' was much more enjoyable to read. I'm still undecided which book has the more tragic ending. Edit, 25 Aug: '1984' had the more tragic ending. In 'Brave New World', Mr. Savage couldn't bear his messed-up world any longer and, this thought still in tact, removed himself from it. In '1984', however, Winston, couldn't bear his messed up world, rebelled, and was finally brainwashed into loving and accepting it. Oddly, his own rebellion, seemed to have been orchestrated by his government, from it's very start to an undeniable end that extends past the last page. '1984' is more tragic because the human spirit glimmers against all odds and is then snuffed out in the name of Power--A self-perpetuating political power with no other goal but more power over every man down to his last thought and expression. This story reminded me of Shakespear's 'Taming of the Shrew' on a much grander scale.
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