First and Last Lines

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."

1984 (published 1949)
George Orwell
Born: June 25, 1903, Motihari, India
Died: January 21, 1950, London, United Kingdom

Orwell was educated in England and joined the Indian Imperial force in Burma when he completed school. After he quit the military in the late 1920's he moved to Paris to be an unsuccessful writer. From 1930's onward, he considered himself a socialist and a devout anti-Stalinist. His best known works are Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949).

1984 is about a character named Winston living under repressive government ultimately ruled by Big Brother. He experiences a brief rebellion with another civilian named Julia even while Big Brother and his minions are monitoring their every move.

I read this book at around 13 or 14 years old, admittedly only because I knew that David Bowie had written a concept album based off of his admiration for the novel. The album itself becomes much more dimensional with the context of the book. The book remains one of the better, poignant dystopian novels I've read. I probably wouldn't reread it, but I remember the excitement of wanting Julia and Winston to escape and work out somewhere new. I remember the sad ending, as well. Everyone needs to read this book, even if they end up hating it.

"She sat staring with her eyes shut, into his eyes, and felt as if she had finally got to the beginning of something she couldn't begin, and she saw him moving further and further away, further and further into the darkness until he was the pin point of light."

Wise Blood (published 1952)

Flannery O'Connor

Born: March 25, 1925, Savannah, Georgia

Died: August 3, 1964, Milledgeville, Georgia

O'Connor was a southern essayist and writer and mainly stuck to her Southern Gothic style. It is said that many of her characters are grotesque in nature and reflect her Catholic views as well as southern issues regarding race and morality. 

Wise Blood is about Hazel Motes, a 22 year-old war veteran struggling with his faith. He meets an array of off kilter characters like a self-blinded street preacher and his daughter (Asa Hawkes and Lily Sabbath), a crazy 18 year old zookeeper with "wise blood", and a mummified holy child. Hazel encounters false prophets, redemption, and retribution. 

I don't personally foresee this book being one that I would particularly enjoy. Characters based around the absurd spectrum of religion have a way of stressing me out to the point of not being able to read the book for what it is.