1984 is a novel by George Orwell, written as a warning to the future from the year 1949. Although the year 1984 has since passed, the message it teaches remains present in today’s society. 1984 is a very important book both to modern literature, and society as a whole, since it was one of the first dystopian novels of its time, and while reading it, the reason for its legacy becomes obvious. The book was written as a warning to society against the dangers of unquestioned leadership, and a reminder to not believe everything the government tells you. In my opinion, this message has never been more relevant than in 2017, a year in which the leader of the free world can spout “alternative facts”, similarly to how Big Brother can dictate that “two and two make five” (PDF Page 351) or that “Eurasia had always been at war with Oceana” (PDF Page 363), even though it is clearly documented otherwise. Although it’s not likely that the United States will dissolve into a dictatorship anytime soon, 1984 is so important because of its warning to past and future generations.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a timeless science fiction novel written by Douglas Adams in 1979. The book is famous due to it’s hilarious yet absurd humor, and the marks that it has left on pop culture are hard to avoid. It was written as a complicated social commentary on nothing in particular, but the genius and heart of it never failed to capture my attention. A quote that related both to 1984 and the world of politics in general was “It is a well known fact that those people who most want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” The story is brimming with witty yet thoughtful quotes, and picking just one was difficult. The book follows Arthur Dent, an Earth man who finds himself traveling through the strange galaxy with his alien friend Ford Prefect, feeling entirely out of place. The main character is so likable because he is so relatably clueless to the surreal world that has replaced his old one. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is overall the best book I have read this year so far, and I hope more people get the chance to experience it.
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