George Orwell’s “1984”

Eric Blair, better known by his pen-name George Orwell, published his ninth and last book in June of 1949. The dystopian novel depicts a totalitarian society characterized by mass surveillance of its citizens, the censorship of information coupled with widespread government propaganda, and the severe punishment of dissidence or nonconformity. It is especially noteworthy for… Continue reading George Orwell’s “1984”

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The 100 Most Lovable Novels in the English Language

As ranked on our podcast, “Between the Covers,” through Tuesday, November 19, 2024. To tune in to the podcast, try this link: https://betweenthecoverspodcast.podbean.com: 1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Catch-22 is a satirical, anti-war novel that follows the increasingly frantic attempts by the American bombardier Captain John Yossarian to stay alive. He has become convinced that everyone,… Continue reading The 100 Most Lovable Novels in the English Language

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Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick”

“Call me Ishmael.” The most famous opening line of any American Novel. And the novel that it opens, Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, is one that has often been touted by its admirers as the “Great American Novel.” Moby-Dick makes its appearance on the Guardian list of the greatest novels in English, the Observer’s list of the 100 Greatest World novels, Penguin Classics’ list of… Continue reading Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick”

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Ian McEwan’s “Atonement”

If you have read much of acclaimed contemporary novelist Ian McEwan’s work, you are well aware that Atonement, which did not win the Booker Prize, is a much better novel than his Amsterdam, which did win it. (Shortlisted in 2001, Atonement lost out to Peter Carey’s impressive True History of the Kelly Gang.) A wider ranging and thematically more challenging… Continue reading Ian McEwan’s “Atonement”

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