The Classics Club - my favourite Classic

In the newly-published site for the Classics Club, you will find a plethora of information about this community bringing all the enthousiasts for classic literature together - from proposals of titles for the book list, to interactions with other members of the club.  There is also a new feature, a monthly meme, aiming to get some insight into a particular subject.  For August, the question is pretty straight-forward:  what is your favourite classic and why?

I love classic literature because it has opened up my knowledge of the world.  More than modern literature, which I also read and enjoy, classic works leave a much stronger mark on me and for a much longer period of time.  I appreciate the effort that goes into these novels and little ideas that stick to my mind and are analysed and digested...

The Classics Club: Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

I first read 1984 by George Orwell in 1984, and, while the whole story was depressing and scary, it was evident that it was a work of fiction, in a futuristic setting, far, far away in another galaxy ...

Fast forward today, or actually about 10 years ago, when the whole craze of the "Big Brother" reality series started.  Never could I have imagined that the words of caution in the book would be misinterpreted and actually turned against fellow humans and seduce all of us into a voyeurism without precedent... 

This was a totally different way of reading... I found I had to stop several times because the plot was becoming so heavy, I felt I was getting out of breath.  I had to recollect my thoughts and analyse bits before I could proceed to the next part.