Read for Your Rights Book Club: " 1984"

The Read for Your Rights book club is a 5-session series celebrating our access to unique and explorative information and stories through America’s Libraries. This series culminates with reading George Orwell’s 1984 during the month of October, in conjunction with the American Library Association’s Banned Book week theme “Censorship is so 1984.” 
 

We will read a selection of books that have been at one time banned by state or local systems and embark on enjoying stories told in a variety of voices, times, and circumstances.

Intergenerational participation is encouraged to explore books across life experiences. Age 16+

Participation in all 5 sessions is not required.

All sessions are from 7-8pm on the last Tuesday of the month in the East Lyme Room.

• Tuesday, October 28th: 1984 by George Orwell
• Published: 1949
• Genre: Dystopian Fiction
• Central themes: Government control, Censorship, Loss of rights
• Publisher Description: Orwell's classic dystopian fiction warns us of our future, and deals with issues that speak to multiple dangers faced by many nations today.

• Winston Smith is a member of 'the party' and subject to constant surveillance by the eyes of Big Brother, the ruler of the society. 'Newspeak' is designed to eradicate all political speech, 'Thoughtcrimes' are categorized as any thoughts of resistance or rebellion against any aspect of society, and the threat of despatch to 'Room 101' is a looming warning to all. Orwell explores the mechanics of totalitarianism revealing how control over the mass media allows the state to control all aspects of life, both the past and the future.