Samuel West continues a day of readings from Nineteen Eighty-Four, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Orwell's great dystopian novel, as part of Radio 4's 'Orwell vs Kafka' season.

The year is 1984. War and revolution have left the world unrecognisable. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, is ruled by the Party, and its leader, Big Brother, stares out from every poster. The Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal, and no one is free. Winston Smith works at The Ministry of Truth, carefully rewriting history, but he dreams of freedom and of rebellion. When he falls in love, the affair is an act of rebellion against the Party. But nothing is secret. And Room 101 awaits...

Orwell's cautionary tale was first published in 1949, and is one of the 20th century's most influential novels.

Today: Winston and Julia read Goldstein's book in their tranquil haven above Charrington's shop. But Big Brother is watching...

Reader: Samuel West
Writer: George Orwell
Abridger: Robin Brooks
Producer: Justine Willett Show less