1984 (Nineteen Eighty–Four)

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

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101...

Nineteen Eight-Four is George Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian future in which everything and everyone is slave to a tyrannical regime.

'More relevant to today than almost any other book that you can think of.' - Jo Brand

'Right up there among my favourite books. . . I read it again and again.' - Margaret Atwood