1985: What Happens After Big Brother Dies

By Gyorgy Dalos
Pantheon Books. (First published in Germany in 1982 by Rotbuch Veriag Berling),
120 pp., $4.95.
Reviewed by Neal Wilgus
Winter, 1987

In this satirical sequel to Orwell’s classic dystopia, Big Brother dies in early 1985. Very soon afterward the whole totalitarian scheme of Ingsoc begins to unravel—with Winston Smith, Julia Miller, and James O’Brien from the original book leading the way. O’Brien invites Smith, Miller, and several others to assist in the founding of the Times Literary Supplement, a small, but ideologically important publication that soon becomes the focus of “the thaw” in Ingsoc society. When Big Sister is disposed of, the Thought Police begin a power struggle with the Inner and Outer Party, and Oceania loses a key battle with Eurasia, all hell breaks loose.

The story is told in a series of extracts from the major player’s journals, so that each incident is seen from several points of view—giving greater depth too the rather flimsy story line. In the end there is a genuine people’s revolution which is betrayed—but at least the totalitarianism of Orwell’s nightmare is ended.

Gyorgy Dalos is a Hungarian writer already in trouble with the authorities in his own country, which is why 1985 was first published in Germany rather than Hungary. 1985 is an amazing and worthwhile book which should be better known and more widely read. It would be a good addition to the Prometheus Hall of Fame, where it would be an excellent companion to 1984 itself.