Rebirth. Is this what this moment offers me?
It occurs to me, that in this too-hot bedroom of my father's, this feather-filled pillow I hold, could be how I wrest my life from a place of pain and powerlessness to something...else. Something better. A new start...
***
Vox meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this feminist retelling of 1984.
In Oceania, whoever you are, Big Brother is always watching you and trust is a luxury that no one has. Julia is the seemingly perfect example of what women in Oceania should be: dutiful, useful, subservient, meek. But Julia hides a secret. A secret that would lead to her death if it is discovered. For Julia is part of the underground movement called The Sisterhood, whose main goal is to find members of The Brotherhood, the anti-Party vigilante group, and help them to overthrow Big Brother. Only then can everyone be truly free.
When Julia thinks she’s found a potential member of The Brotherhood, it seems like their goal might finally be in their grasp. But as she gets closer to Winston Smith, Julia’s past starts to catch up with her and we soon realise that she has many more secrets than we’d first imagined—and that overthrowing Big Brother might cost her everything—but if you have nothing left to lose then you don’t mind playing the game...
This is a story about love, about family, about being a woman, a mother, a sister, a friend and ultimately about what you would sacrifice for the greater good.
***
What a fabulous book! I was completely engrossed by the story from the very first page.
George Orwell is one of my favourite writers, and 1984 is probably my preferred book of all his works. Unsurprisingly, when I was offered the opportunity to read The Sisterhood I seized the chance.
It was quite an undertaking for any author to write an alternative version of such an iconic book as 1984. Generally speaking, I steer well clear of novels which aim to further a work of which I am already a fan of. However, I am so glad I did because on this occasion the author has done an excellent job in doing so.
In the original book we do not know very much about Julia's character, and I enjoyed seeing her develop in this novel. She is a strong woman who is living in a claustrophobic, authoritarian and scary society. Anyone who is familiar with 1984 will recognise the concept of Big Brother. A society where not only are people under constant observation but even their thoughts are monitored and controlled by the Thought Police. It is a terrifying concept for its plausibility, and Ms Bradley brought it very much to life through this feminist perspective.
The titular sisterhood epitomise the heart of this story. One in which a group of women, through friendship, love and strength come together to stand against the regime whilst presenting themselves as docile and obedient women. Together they highlight how far they were willing to go for a better society.
An excellent book which I enthusiastically recommend to fans of Orwell or dystopian fiction.
ISBN: 978 1398514287
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Formats: e-book, audio, hardback and paperback
No. of Pages: 454
About the Author:
Katherine Bradley worked for many years managing services for people
who are marginalised by society; her work has taken her into prisons,
mental health hospitals and alongside the homeless. She currently works in education. She holds a first-class degree in English Literature, in addition to qualifications in creative writing and teaching. As Kate
Bradley, she published two suspense thrillers - To Keep You Safe (2020)
and What I Did (2021). Her work has been described as 'addictive,
original and brilliantly twisty' by T. M. Logan and 'heart-stopping' by
David Nicholls. Katherine lives in a small coastal town just outside of
Brighton with her husband and sons.
(book and media courtesy of Random Things Tours)
(all opinions are my own)
