What readers think of Julia, plus links to write your own review.

Chilling. Very, very chilling. And considering the times we are living in (I write this in April 2025), this book is terrifying. The dystopian idea of Big Brother watching your every move, governing your every action, paying heed to your every word has never before seemed so possible.

Written by Sandra Newman, this is a creative feminist retelling of George Orwell's classic novel "1984," told from the perspective of Julia Worthing, Winston Smith's illicit lover.

Julia is 26, smart, and an ideal citizen—doing everything she is supposed to do with a smile and only a little (private) cynicism. She is living an uncomplicated life in Air Strip One (formerly England), residing in a women's hostel, sleeping in a large dormitory room with dozens of others, and working as a mechanic in the Fiction Department of the Ministry of Truth. The Fiction Department is where books are "written" by machines that spout the party doctrine. Julia fixes the machines when they break, and she is good at her job. Because she is bored, she begins an illicit affair with Winston Smith—just for the clandestine excitement of trying to outwit the ever present telescreens of Big Brother. One day the manipulative and charismatic O'Brien, a high-level member of the Inner Party summons Julia to his luxury apartment with an offer she can't refuse. And while she really couldn't refuse it, the work she is then assigned is nefarious, ugly, and duplicitous, but she does it willingly. And that is when everything changes…and eventually falls apart.

What makes this rewrite different than the original is the female focal point. Not only do we see things through Julia's perspective, but also we learn much about how other women live in this restrictive government, both caring for and betraying each other. Still, it's not as strong as Orwell's classic.

This is a haunting, incendiary tale with a provocative and searing storyline that catapults from emotionally devastating to emotionally resonant. It's appalling and horrifying because it doesn't seem so farfetched as "1984" once did. And this sense that pieces and parts of it could really happen right now and right here is more terrifying than any horror novel.

Note No. 1: There are somewhat explicit sex scenes and very explicit scenes of violence and torture.

Note No. 2: Do read (or re-read) "1984" or at the very least look for a plot summary online before you begin this book so you can better appreciate the different perspective.

Sandra Newman has written the companion novel to Orwell's "1984".  We never knew we needed this, but in "Julia" so many of our questions are finally answered and we get the feminine perspective on the Party and Big Brother and the authoritarian nightmare.  If you ever wondered why Julia behaved as she did, then you will find the explanations you seek within this book.

Is it necessary to read or re-read "1984" before beginning "Julia"?  No, this is a narrative worthy of standing alone.  However, it is interesting to refresh by reading the original and then as you read the new book you will marvel at how well Newman captures the events, language, and ambience of Oceania.  Newman takes the old classic a step further by giving us Julia's perspective, emotions, and thoughts and we gain insight into her mind and background.   

"1984" was a stark reminder that democracy is fragile and that we need to be ever diligent to retain our freedom. "Julia" is even more timely as our world struggles with misinformation and confirmation bias and the countless numbers of wanna be authoritarians who want absolute power.

This is not a happy beach read. This will make you think and worry and hope this never happens in your country. Remember the tale of the frog in the pot of water, if the temperature is slowly increased in gradual increments, the frog never notices until it is too late and the water is boiling hot. 

If a retelling of classic novels is in your wheelhouse, Sandra Newman's Julia will not disappoint. It begins simply enough, describing the initial meeting between Julia and Winston Smith, showing her at work in the Fiction department of the Ministry of Truth. While outwardly acting the ideal citizen of Big Brother's dystopian society, Julia hides her joyful sexuality behind the red sash of the Anti-Sex League, uses the Black Market to supplement her needs, and hides her laughter at the spectacle of the Two-Minute Hates while enthusiastically taking part. Flashbacks to Julia's childhood adds the depth and dimension to her character that effectively helps explain her ability to navigate through the Party's requirements, seemingly at will. Her sexual manipulation of the men from Truth is disturbing, especially as she cleverly schemes to provide the scenarios she believes the ever-present watchers will appreciate. The book is not for the faint of heart. Gruesome scenes of Julia's torture after her surprise arrest are described in vivid detail. The appearance of "Icy" Winters as an interesting way to enlighten Julia of the facts behind her arrest. Winter's tip about Room 101, "run out the clock," provides the key for her survival. The novel's end is in keeping with Orwell's version, but the bitter twist comes as a shock, although it is clear in retrospect that Newman's forewarning has been present all along. What a clever and revealing retelling!

Julia is about misogyny of Orwell's writing and fleshing out a woman's perspective. The book is highly readable and retellable, it is innovative and enjoyable.

Wow, '1984 Julia' sounds like a fascinating retelling of Orwell's '1984' from Julia's perspective! I love how it explores the dystopian world of Oceania and delves into Julia's character. It must be interesting to see familiar figures from '1984' through a different lens. it seems like a thought-provoking and imaginative retelling of Orwell's '1984'. I would recommend giving it a read if you're interested in exploring the dystopian world from a different perspective. Happy reading!

The book isn't for faint hearted ....

The estate of George Orwell granted permission for this feminist retelling of 1984. Much of the setting is the same but our story is told through Julia, formerly only known by her first name and a foil to the story on Winston Smith.

Sandra Newman however has painted a complex character in Julia - giving us the inside line on who she is, what she thinks and what drives her actions including the fated moment when she passes a note to Smith. If you are a fan of 1984 I guarantee you will love this story. Newman has paid homage, while also adding electric details to a well known novel.

Julia is a fantastic book. Julia in 1984 being able to read a possible back story for her along with details of her everyday life was fantastic. We can get a realistic feel for her and her motivations.

Very few books have left me wishing I had spent my time doing something else. This book could offer no essential purpose or outcome that would have a person think about it once it was put in the library bin. At least I finished it.