Oprah's Empire | The Oprah Effect | 3

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

The novel tells the story of Beth Cappadora, a suburban mother and photographer, whose life is shattered when her three-year-old son, Ben, is abducted from a crowded Chicago hotel lobby during her high school reunion. The disappearance leads to a nine-year period of anguish for the family, affecting Beth's marriage to Pat and the lives of their other children, Vincent and Kerry. When Ben is finally found, he has been raised by another family and has no memory of his birth family, leading to further emotional turmoil. The book explores themes of traumatic loss, family relationships, and the complexities of human connection and emotional survival.