A ‘feminist retelling’ of George Orwell’s 1984 book is in the works

One of the most prominent works of fiction of the 20th century, George Orwell’s 1984, are getting a sequel of sorts. British writer’s legacy approved for Julia, a novel by Sandra Newman (Country of ice cream stars) reflects the horror story of fascism from the point of view of the original’s romantic interest.

1984, first published in 1949, is told from the very narrow perspective of Winston Smith, who lives in a remote area where the UK is known as Airstrip One. The country, and the world at large, experienced a series of perpetual wars and alliances between three great nations: Oceania, Eastasia, and Eurasia. At home, Airstrip One is ruled by its sole political party, INGSOC, fueled by a cult of personality surrounding the Big Brother leader.

As a member of INGSOC’s Outer Party, Winston lived a sheltered, if not particularly glamorous, life working for the Ministry of Truth, the state propaganda arm that specializes in altering history to prove it. proving Big Brother is right. The Party’s official policy on newspaper works to get rid of even protesting thoughts from people’s minds, creating vague and threatening phrases instead of precise ones. All of this changes for Winston when he meets Julia.

Image: Criterion Collection

Julia was a particularly enthusiastic participant in the Two Minute Hate, a gathering where the populace expressed public hatred for the state’s enemy, Emmanuel Goldstein. She met Winston’s eyes, filling him with a mixture of agitation and disgust.

In Julia, Winston discovers a free spirit, someone who actually has sex for gratification (it’s a crime) and who mocks Big Brother. They know that their romance will be destroyed, but continue in spite of it. She claims to have slept with other Party members, a claim supported by the fact that she received items that seemed out of reach of Winston, like chocolate and tea.

“Two of the unanswered questions in Orwell’s novel are what Julia sees in Winston, and how she navigates her way through the party hierarchy,” said Bill Hamilton, moderator literature of Orwell Estate, said in a press statement. “Sandra approaches the world of Big Brother in a completely convincing way that stays true to the original but also offers a dramatically different story to stand with the original.”

The press release says that Julia will introduce a character who “understands the world of Oceania much better than Winston and is basically happy with her life — Julia knows no other world and has never imagined this one. But one day, when she found herself walking toward him in a long hallway, Julia impulsively handed Winston a bill — a potentially suicidal gesture — and realized that she was losing her mind. grip and can no longer safely navigate his world”.

1984, which Orwell originally considered the title The Last Man in Europe, has had mixed luck in being discussed constantly in modern times while its contents are mostly ignored. Questions like “What happened to 1984 referrer?” often appeared on Redditand both phrases “Wow, this is like 1984” and “Live in 1984” earned articles on Know Your Meme.

Newman, who described her still unfinished book on Twitter as a “narrative feminist,” not the first to adapt Orwell’s novel. A film version came out in 1984 starring John Hurt as Winston and Suzanna Hamilton as Julia. The film also features washed-out cinematography from the legendary Roger Deakins, and also Eurythmics soundtrack and accompanying pop songs. This is a “Sex Crime” that surprises.

Although no official release date has been set, Mariner Books, an affiliate of the William Morrow Group at HarperCollins Publishers, says it hopes to publish Julia on the 75th anniversary of Orwell’s novel, which will set a publication date for 2024.