Julia

Julia by Sandra Newman is an ambitious and thought-provoking feminist reimagining of George Orwell’s 1984, retold through the eyes of Julia Worthing, Winston Smith’s lover and a character often overlooked in Orwell’s original narrative. This novel doesn't merely revisit the dystopian world of Airstrip One; it reframes it, offering a fresh lens that sheds light on the gendered dynamics and complexities of life as a woman under the ever-watchful eye of Big Brother.

Newman enriches the world Orwell created by delving into Julia’s background, motivations, and daily existence within the Outer Party. We’re given more political context, deeper world-building, and an insider’s perspective on the mechanisms of control, complicity, and resistance. Julia is not just a rebel through sex; she is cunning, pragmatic, and much more politically aware than we might have assumed from 1984. This shift in viewpoint is not only timely but vital, resonating with today’s conversations around surveillance, gender, autonomy, and power.

That said, I found reading Julia to be a challenge. It took me over seven months to finish, not because it lacked substance, but because it didn’t fully grip me. I kept putting it down and struggled to stay engaged. While the concept is powerful and the writing is often sharp, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I didn’t find the emotional pull I was hoping for.

Still, Julia is a worthwhile read for those curious about reinterpretations of classic literature, especially through a feminist lens. While I personally wouldn’t return to it for a second read, I respect what Newman set out to do and admire the boldness of the project.

If you read 1984 and thought, “wow, Orwell did Julia dirty,” this book is for you. If you read 1984 and thought, “wow, I wish this was more of a story and less of a treatise,” then this book is also for you.

I reread 1984 just a few months ago not even knowing this book was coming out. I definitely think it adds to the experience to have the original fresh in your mind.

I knew that Orwell wanted me think of Julia as shallow and dumb in 1984, but I liked her anyway. When she fell asleep while Orwell read Goldstein’s book, I was like yep, girl, same. I feel like Newman kept some of that air-headed feel to Julia but basically didn’t fault her for it.

There are a few memorable icky bits of dialogue with Winston from 1984 replayed here from Julia’s perspective. Newman creates motivation for Julia to say what she says, which is mainly that she wants to placate Winston so they can get to the sex. Can he PLEASE shut up? Hahaha.

Newman explores the lives of women in this system, including pregnancy, birth control, and queerness. She also gives Julia a much more complicated role.

I enjoyed the last bit of the book a lot. It felt like it had the same spirit as the ending of 1984, which is one of the best parts of the original to me.

I’m baffled as to how this got published with Orwell’s estate’s approval, but I’ll take it!