George Orwell’s 1984: An Audible Original adaptation

by Joe White (Adaptation), George Orwell, Andrew Garfield (Narrator)

From the age of uniformity.
From the age of solitude and doublethink.
From the age of Big Brother.
From me, Winston Smith.
Greetings.
It’s 1984, and life has changed beyond recognition. Airstrip One, formerly known as Great Britain, is a place where Big Brother is always watching, and nobody can hide. Except, perhaps, for Winston Smith. Whilst working at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history, he secretly dreams of freedom. And in a world where love and sex are forbidden, where it’s hard to distinguish between friend and foe, he meets Julia and O’Brien and vows to rebel.

Starring Andrew Garfield as Winston, Cynthia Erivo as Julia, Andrew Scott as the alluring, mysterious O’Brien, and featuring Tom Hardy as Big Brother, Audible presents a new dramatization of George Orwell’s classic tale. An immersive listening experience like none you’ve heard before, at a time when it has all never felt more chillingly relevant.

Featuring a haunting original score composed by Muse’s lead singer and songwriter Matthew Bellamy and Ilan Eshkeri, recorded by the London Metropolitan Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, the production is directed by BAFTA Award winner Destiny Ekaragha, produced in Dolby Atmos by Granny Eats Wolf, and dramatised by Olivier Award nominated playwright Joe White.

Also starring Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther and Katie Leung.

Featuring Ian Abeysekera, Rachel Atkins, Grace Baker, Joanna Brookes, Clare Corbett, Doug Devaney, Imogen Front, Sam Garioch, Raj Ghatak, Frances Jeater, Mason Moore, Yasmin Mwanza, Harry Myers, Kaelum Nelson, John Sackville, Sienna Sangha, Sam Stafford, Jo Troy, Jenny White, Sarah Whitehouse & Alix Wilton Regan.

This adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 is an immersive listening experience, containing scenes that some may find uncomfortable. Listener discretion is advised.

Genres: Audiobook, Classics, Fiction, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller

4 pages, Audible Audio

First published April 4, 2024

Reviews

[Court Heinsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double plus good!

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

war is peace
freedom is slavery
ignorance is strength

actual book is like a 3.0/5.0
performance was a 5.0/5.0

i personally do not see the complete hype with this book, while i think the social theory it encouraged was compelling and made me see some parallels with Big Brother and government/control today, as a book it just lacked for me. i think i wanted more from the entire story.

i think it could’ve also been because listening to the dramatized version had maybe too much going on at once? i think if i read it maybe i could’ve been interested a little bit more. overall, i recommend for the gripping ideas!
——
saw andrew garfield was the main narrator and started listening to it immediately

[micky :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Like wow. Listening to it was such an experience like damn. I’ve been wanting to read this for a while now and I definitely will read the physical copy, but this was not at all what I expected in the best way. I will be thinking about this book forever. It made me feel so many things and made me just stop in my tracks. It’s just incredible. I’m speechless.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i don’t care what anyone says, this counts toward my reading goal

who would have thought that andrew garfield “narrating” 1984 would make it suddenly more appealing and entertaining……
🤷‍♀️…
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🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️
🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️
🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️
🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️
🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️ 🙋‍♀️

(if this for some reason doesn’t format correctly, it’s supposed to spell out “me!” in emojis)


so anyways, you guys should totally listen to it!

[Olga Yolgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing dramatisation. The voices, the music, all of it made my skin crawl at times.

And I find that I like the "movie in your mind" format more and more, especially when it's so marvellously done.

[NILTON TEIXEIRA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished listening to this adaptation of the book “1984”, written by George Orwell, which is currently available on Audible, at no extra cost for subscribers.
It’s simply superb!
It’s a movie on “tape”.
The story is probably one of my favourite dystopian stories ever written.

PS: to be clear, this review only applies to the audiobook adaptation, not the audiobook version of the original book.

[sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cast is stacked! 🎧 10\10 listening experience!!

I’ll definitely go back and read the book

[Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ Review: George Orwell’s 1984 – An Audible Original Adaptation

I’ve read 1984 before, but hearing it performed in this Audible production gave the story a new kind of intensity. The sound design, the voices, and the pacing create a sense of constant tension, as if the world of Oceania is closing in around you. The performances make Winston’s quiet defiance and Julia’s fragile hope feel heartbreakingly real.

Even though the book was written in 1949, its relevance has only grown. The constant surveillance, the rewriting of truth, and the manipulation of language all feel disturbingly familiar.

Listening today, I couldn’t help but think of our own time: the ever-present smartphones, laptops, and digital networks that track our habits and shape what we see. Orwell imagined the telescreen; we’ve built something even more efficient and carry it willingly.

What makes 1984 timeless isn’t just its political warning, but its emotional one: how easy it is for fear and convenience to erode love, privacy, and independent thought. This adaptation captures that perfectly. It’s uncomfortable, brilliant, and absolutely worth hearing. Not as history, but as a mirror held up to the present.

[alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has listened to 广播剧 (Chinese audio dramas) for several years now, it's awesome to see more audio adaptations in the Western space. The immersive, collective quality of sound effects, a full cast, music, etc. makes for a completely novel experience.

While there are some bits where I'm sure scenes were skimmed or skipped over (it's been too long since I've read the book to pin down specifics), I'm a fan.

Also, Andrew Garfield at the helm? Say no more.

[Grace Btrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.
First, can we take a nerdy moment to appreciate that this edition was published on 4-4-24,
and in the book, Winston starts writing his book on 4-4-84?
Yes, I noticed. Yes, the numerology delighted me. 🔢

🎭 A Masterpiece of Performance & Production
The dramatised abridged audio? A cinematic event.
Andrew Garfield delivers a phenomenal performance
Truly, every voice actor brings this story roaring to life with so much fervour and emotion. The production itself is a work of art.
Huge shoutout to the London Metropolitan Orchestra for the musical depth they bring. Their musical contribution and depiction of these original symphonies breathe more life into the story. 🎻

Honestly, this paragraph alone should convince you to listen.
I cannot overstate how brilliant this adaptation is as both an artistic creation and a retelling.

📜 Dramatised vs. Original
Okay, confession time: I haven’t read the original yet (but I will, very soon; however, this audio and I have been exchanging glances for the past couple months).
Paul (my partner, the resident Actual Reader of 1984™) has read it.
I followed along with the text where possible.
This dramatisation is definitely shorter and leans heavily on dialogue, sound effects, and music in a script-like structure. Like all dramatised works, some scenes and concepts don’t make it in… but it stays true to the spirit, tone, and message.
And honestly? That’s what matters most.
Joe White did a commendable and incredible job here.

📚 Before or After the Original?
I can’t answer that for you. But I can tell you this:
• Paul listened after reading → loved it.
• I listened before reading → also loved it.
So the scientific conclusion is:
👉 Either way, you're winning.

This book and story deserve to be experienced in every format you can get your hands (or ears/eyes) on. So just go for it.💥

--
Pre-listen:
Paul and I have a free afternoon and decided to listen to this together.🎧
It has Tom Hardy, Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, and Andrew Scott... I mean what else do we need for this to be an epic dramatised audio?

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4 stars**
Audio 5 stars**

Narrators:

Andrew Garfield
Cynthia Erivo
Andrew Scott
Tom Hardy
Chukwudi Iwuji
Romesh Ranganathan
Natasia Demetriou
Francesca Mills
Alex Lawther
Katie Leung

[Youssra (semi ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to.

The story of course is just flawless imo but the production of this audiobook just took it to another level.
I am a changed woman.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read "1984" by George Orwell in 1985, in high school English class. I thought it was good, but quite an exaggeration.. and just sci-fi. Now, in 2024, it seems like it was a prediction. The political climate we are in scares me! It doesn't seem so far-fetched any more.

I just listened to the fully dramatized, full cast audiobook that is on Audible and free to members. It's extremely well done! It stars Andrew Garfield as Winston Smith and Cynthia Erivo as Julia. They have added all the appropriate background sounds, and it definitely adds to the fear response. It is really a terrific performance!

Do you know the terms Big Brother, thought police, and double speak?

Everyone should read or listen to this book. If you read it back in high school and that was more than 10 years ago, listen to this audio recording.

It's time to wake up.. because Big Brother is watching you!

(TW: living in fear, torture, rats, hangings)

[Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook (3 hours 30 minutes) narrated by a full cast, including:
Andrew Garfield
Cynthia Erivo
Andrew Scott
Tom Hardy
Chukwudi Iwuji
Romesh Ranganathan
Natasia Demetriou
Francesca Mills
Alex Lawther
Katie Leung

The narration and audio are excellent.
This is a fully scored production that includes the London Metropolitan Orchestra.

Please note that this is an adaptation and is abridged. The full Nineteen Eighty-Four narrated by Simon Prebble that I read a while ago, without reviewing, is 11 hours and 22 minutes long, there are also one narrated by Moro Silo that sits at 13 hours and 18 minutes and another narrated by Theo Solomon with a runtime of 12 hours and 18 minutes. All of the ones I listed are in English and vary by the pacing of the narrator.

If you have not read the full version, I highly recommend it. It's time well spent. George Orwell is fantastic. He and Aldous Huxley were my introductions into dystopian novels.
No regrets!

This version is really good. It contains the heart of the story. It's faced paced with narrators who really get the anxiety going. There's a lot of really great voice acting that negates a lot of explaining that cuts down a lot of time, but also the story is narrowed in. Basically there are some missing parts, but it's not as paired down as a book to a movie, it's more like a series.

I am going to give it a 4, as it's truncated but performed exceptionally well and I really am reviewing this version of the book. Again, I recommend it but also the full version, if you have to pick one go with the full version if you have never read it before.

[⁺₊✧ MYRA ✧₊⁺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!! this is, probably, the best audiobook I have ever listened to! the cast, the sound effects, the soundtrack - everything was amazing. keep in mind that this is a dramatization of Orvel’s work, not an actual reading, so a lot of things were left out, but it is a perfect depiction of Winston’s mental state and paranoia. And in the end, what can be more iconic than Tom Hardy saying: “Big Brother is watching you.”

[Esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

the audible original version of this feel like you're listening to a movie. It was really well done.

[Dunja · Rating 5 out of 5]

mnogo dobro!!

[Kimmylongtime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was flipping amazing I love an audio adaption with voice actors and background noise. This gave the full radio drama feel. I loved every moment. As always I felt the fear and looked over my shoulder hoping that big brother wasn’t watching !! What a treat !!! I finally understand the meaning of thought crime fully.

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was available free through Audible membership and I am so glad I didn’t spend actual money on this one. It is a horrible adaptation. There was way too many and way too loud sound effects - so much so that the dialogue was overshadowed and I couldn’t hear what the characters were actually saying. At times, it was only a bunch of screeching that was so prominent that it literally hurt my ears. There was also an abundance of heavy breathing and panting that was apparently meant to convey romantic exchanges, but that came across poorly. In general, too much of the action went undescribed as though this were being watched rather than listened to. I was able to borrow a copy of this book from my local library so I will continue with that to learn what actually happens.

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great full cast dramatisation of a great book.

[Aline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ça donne froid dans le dos, terrifiant...

[~ Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

"AMO IL GRANDE FRATELLO! AMO IL GRANDE FRATELLO! AMO IL GRANDE FRATELLO!!!"

Agghiacciante ed inquietante. La distopia con la D maiuscola.

Bambini, cosa abbiamo imparato oggi?
1 Non puoi fidarti di nessuno.
2 Il mondo prima o poi ti annienta, per quanto tu possa tentare di rimanere fedele a te stesso.
3 Se sei al potere detti tu le regole e di tutti gli altri STICAZZI.
4 IL GRANDE FRATELLO TI OSSERVA.
5 L'IGNORANZA È FORZA, LA LIBERTÀ È SCHIAVITÙ, LA PACE È GUERRA.

[Daniel Pereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read 1984 about 10 years ago and don't remember a lot of it except that I loved it at the time and it made me go into other Orwell novels, like "Down and Out in Paris and London".

I 100% loved this as well. Performances are great, it's very graphic, sound effects and music are added in a brilliant way that really enhances the experience and it makes you slow down from your typical audiobook listening speed so you can enjoy all of it.

I've read on here that some details are left out, and that makes sense as this felt overall short; I kept thinking about how adapted this was as I didn't remember the original. However I believe the core of the original book is here, presented in a really really nice package. 5 out of 5.

[M.G. Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the negative reviews of this Audible adaptation seems to focus on it not being a simple audio reading of the text. The fact that it has a *cast* and not a *narrator* should have made it quite clear that it's an audio play.

That said, despite the great cast so much detail is left out. If you're not familiar with the book, then I can understand why some of it might have felt confusing. The dialogue could have been more detailed in places and it wouldn't have necessarily felt like pointless exposition.

A good adaptation.

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books and this performance was amazing.

[Xavier Patiño · Rating 5 out of 5]

3rd reading, Audible Edition:
A neat take on an ominous classic. This version runs about 3 hours and has been considerably shortened. However, all the key elements of the story are here, and have been garnished with background music, sound effects, and superb narration by a wonderful and talented cast. The horror of Big Brother’s government – the spying, the psychological manipulation, the torture – is heightened thanks to the auditory improvements. You hear the static of the telescreen powering on and the cold tone of the Ingsoc employee logging in information (“6079 Smith W, unorthodox behavior.”) It added depth to an already great story. If you’re able to give it a listen, I highly recommend it.

Anyone that followed the leaks by Edward Snowden back in 2013 about the U.S. government spy programs surely heard that the world was slowly turning into an "Orwellian society". This novel by George Orwell is where the term was coined.

1984 takes place in a world where the world governments, or "Big Brother", control their citizen's every move. Individualism is illegal. Speaking out against the laws or government will result in your disappearance. Procreation is no longer allowed for pleasure but only for the creation of children and it is controlled by the state. An audio/camera system called Telescreens are installed in every home and monitor your every move (camera systems and hidden microphones are also positioned all over the city). Even your own children are put into programs and trained to report you to the authorities if you begin to even show a hint of disobedience!

The book's protagonist Winston Smith is a frail, tall, and lanky fellow that works for the state and is in charge of constantly updating and changing history according to what Big Brother wants changed. They control every aspect of the past, present and future and Winston is slowly starting to rebel against it all.

I enjoyed Orwell's descriptive writing and he does a great job at bringing the scenes in the book to life. He builds a frightening world and I found it to be immersive and interesting however I found that around the second half of the book there was a dip in the plot and the rest of the story didn't grip me as much as the first half did.

In conclusion, I thought it was a fantastic read. The setting is terrifying and we should look at this book as warning to prevent our society from falling to a world similar to this one.

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely one of the best if not the best audiobook I have ever listened to. The sounds, music, narrators, everything was perfection. 😩🤚Andrew Scott I love you. If I took a shot every time Andrew Garfield moaned or whimpered, I would have alcohol poisoning

[Elizabeth ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be both amazing and disturbing. The thought of having someone watch me 24/7 truly scares me, and it got me thinking about the lengths the government would go to to control citizens.

This isn't something I would normally read, but overall I did enjoy it ❤️

[Ayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 🌟

Came for Andrew Garfield & Andrew Scott, stuck around for Andrew Garfield & Andrew Scott. I’m curious how this compares to the actual novel because this version definitely seemed shortened, to the point where pieces of the story didn’t always make sense.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seemed fitting to do a re-read. I enjoyed this original adaption.