Julia, a new way to approach 1984?

I have always been captivated by retellings, such as The Song of Achilles and Circe by the brilliant Madeline Miller. These stories fascinate me because they reimagine narratives we vaguely know from new perspectives.There are a lot of myth retellings… but what about classics ? 

In this review, I will discuss what makes Julia compelling, and how this novel offers to readers a new way to reflect on the well-known classic 1984. Before reading it, I recommend you to see this book as an expansion of 1984 rather than a new story. 

First, let’s contextualize a little : Sandra Newman’s Julia is a retelling of 1984, the classic dystopian novel written by George Orwell and published in 1949. 1984 is one of the most significant works of dystopian fiction, exploring totalitarianism, and mass surveillance. However, despite its profound critique of oppression, it offers little insight into women’s experiences under such a regime. Julia, Winston Smith’s lover, is often dismissed as a secondary character, with limited development and an unclear personal narrative.

This is where Sandra Newman’s Julia

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86508927-julia

is offering an alternative perspective on Oceania that highlights the specific ways dictatorship affects women. Rather than attempting to rewrite or critique Orwell’s masterpiece, Julia builds upon its foundation, offering depth and shape to a character who was previously left in the shadows.

 

What makes Julia stand out?

One of the most intriguing aspects of Julia is how it sheds light on themes that were underdeveloped in 1984, particularly the impact of totalitarianism on women’s rights. Through Julia’s eyes, we gain a deeper understanding of how the Party controls marriage, relationships, contraception, and abortion. The character of Vicky in the early chapters serves as an example of this, illustrating the grim realities faced by women under such a regime.

Additionally, while Julia was depicted in 1984 as somewhat impulsive and shallow, Newman reimagines her as a clever and independent figure. This retelling does not simply rehash Orwell’s plot, which would have been boring… Instead, it provides a new perspective, allowing readers to see Julia as more than just Winston’s love interest.

Another notable difference between Orwell’s 1984 and Newman’s Julia is the writing style. Orwell deliberately wrote in an unembellished manner to ensure accessibility, which is why 1984 is often assigned in schools. I, for example, read it in middle school, and I found it really easy to understand, both the plot and the writing. In contrast, Newman’s prose is more poetic and rich, which adds literary depth to the novel. Her description of brutality and emotions are depicted in greater detail and it highlights things that were left obscure in 1984, such as the psychological torment within Room 101. 

Finally, Newman offers us an alternative ending in Julia. Unlike 1984, which concludes with Winston’s tragic submission to Big Brother, the novel explores what happens after their release that invites us, readers, to consider the consequences of totalitarian control.

However, one aspect that felt somewhat “unnecessary” was the inclusion of explicit and prolonged sex scenes. Sexual rebellion is a key theme in both 1984 and Julia, but some of the detailed descriptions seemed excessive and not particularly relevant to the main plot…

To conclude… would I recommend this novel? Yes, especially for those who have read 1984 and are curious about experiencing the story from another point of view.

And if you’re interested in feminist dystopias… Here are some books you can read ! 

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