So...1984 by George Orwell, another book that everyone has read and everyone pretends to like likes. Personally, I adored it. Everything from the way it explores a very dark and cynical side of life, ruled by fear and oppression. 
 Let's go a few years in the future (or the future-past? That's how I'd call it...). We're in 1984 (probably), and the world is split into three; each part is ruled by totalitarian parties. In Oceania, that party is Ingsoc, in Eurasia- Neo-Bolshevism, and in Eastasia- the Death Worship. 
 The main character is Winston Smith. His job is something like replacing documents about the past with fake documents (doctrine, to be more exact). He hates the party and he keeps a journal about this. I have no idea how I really feel about Winston. On the one hand, he was rebellious and independent and super brave, but on the other hand, I failed to connect with him, which is not a tragedy, considering that I, unlike Winston, have never experienced the trauma of a totalitarian regime. 
 One of the most important elements of the book is the affair shared by Winston and Julia. I thought it was amazingly written, showing how politics can influence even the purest people, morphing them and making sure they're as corrupt as everyone else. (view spoiler)[I was shocked by the fact that Winston and Julia betray each other. Only now I understand that their betrayals were proving a truly depressing idea: love can't save anyone. Ever. The people you trust can and will leave you anytime. (hide spoiler)] 
 The ending was bittersweet, yet perfect for this book. (view spoiler)[They don't overthrow the government. Instead, Winston feels a sickening admiration towards the Big Brother, welcoming his death, finally finding an escape from the horrendous world he lived in. Pessimistic and sad, but damn perfect (hide spoiler)] 
 The atmosphere of the book is impressively created: gloomy, insecure, frightening. 1984 is the kind of novel that stays with you, not in a nice, cozy way, but in a terrifying "overthinking-at-night" way. It never leaves your mind, it's haunting, and it's amazing.