1984 (English edition)

Published in 1949, the book is political satirist George Orwell's nightmarish vision of a totalitarian, bureaucratic world and one poor man's attempt to find individuality. The genius of the novel lies in Orwell's presence in modern life - the ubiquity of television, the distortion of language - and in his ability to create such a complete version of hell. Since its publication, the novel has ranked among the most terrifying novels ever written for students.