Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers a nightmare world where love is hate, war is peace and the true price of freedom is betrayal.

This is definitely one of the BBC Big Read books I'm most looking forward to reading. Being described as prophetic, and a scarily accurate depiction of future government I'm sure it makes for disturbing reading. Not sure I can forgive it for spawning all the dire reality TV we're currently being exposed to though!