Luke reviewed Julia: A Novel by Sandra Newman
Review of 'Julia' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Would give this 6 stars if I could. What a book.
English language
Published Oct. 21, 2023 by HarperCollins Publishers.
Sandra Newman: Julia (2023, HarperCollins Publishers)
- ISBN:
- 978-0-06-326533-2
Copied ISBN!
4 stars
(3 reviews)
Patuleia reviewed Julia: A Novel by Sandra Newman
Review of 'Julia: A Novel' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Eagerly anticipating the release of "Julia: A Retelling of George Orwell's 1984," I was thrilled by the prospect of revisiting the dystopian world through the eyes of Julia, a character whose enigmatic presence in Orwell's masterpiece had always intrigued me. While the idea of expanding upon Orwell's universe was enticing, the realization that the book was commissioned by Orwell's estate dampened my enthusiasm. It was hard to ignore the potential for commercial motives to overshadow the creative integrity of the project.
Upon reading the novel, my initial apprehension proved to be well-founded. The narrative lacked the captivating prose and thought-provoking depth that characterized Orwell's original work. The author's attempt to flesh out Julia's character fell short, failing to capture the essence of her complexities and motivations. Additionally, the plot deviated from the established canon of 1984, introducing inconsistencies and undermining the cohesiveness of the story.
While I commend the author's …
Eagerly anticipating the release of "Julia: A Retelling of George Orwell's 1984," I was thrilled by the prospect of revisiting the dystopian world through the eyes of Julia, a character whose enigmatic presence in Orwell's masterpiece had always intrigued me. While the idea of expanding upon Orwell's universe was enticing, the realization that the book was commissioned by Orwell's estate dampened my enthusiasm. It was hard to ignore the potential for commercial motives to overshadow the creative integrity of the project.
Upon reading the novel, my initial apprehension proved to be well-founded. The narrative lacked the captivating prose and thought-provoking depth that characterized Orwell's original work. The author's attempt to flesh out Julia's character fell short, failing to capture the essence of her complexities and motivations. Additionally, the plot deviated from the established canon of 1984, introducing inconsistencies and undermining the cohesiveness of the story.
While I commend the author's endeavor to explore Julia's perspective, the execution ultimately failed to live up to the promise of the premise. For those seeking a profound and immersive exploration of the themes raised in 1984, Orwell's original masterpiece remains the definitive text.
