George Orwell’s estate has approved Nineteen Eighty-Four from a feminist perspective. This will tell the tale of Winston Smith and Julia’s love story.

Julia will be published by Sandra Newman in 2023. Sandra Newman is an obscure American author who was praised critically for her dystopian novel, and she has received the support of Orwell’s father for this project.

Julia starts by sharing her thoughts about Winston, the Ministry of Truth worker who she joins in a fatal affair.  

It was Records, the man responsible for it all, him in his grim, prim manner, and his old-think way. Newman wrote the opening lines of Julia’s first chapter, calling him “Old Misery”, referring to Syme’s nickname for Syme. 

Although “Comrade Smith” was his correct name, “Comrade”, never seemed to suit him. If you find it embarrassing to call someone “Comrade”, then perhaps you should not speak with them.  

A new feminist version of Nineteen Eighty-Four will retell the events of George Orwell's novel from the perspective of Winston Smith's lover Julia, it has been announced. Pictured, Suzanna Hamilton and John Hurt as Julia and Winston in the 1984 film Nineteen Eighty-Four

The new feminist Nineteen Eighty-Four will present the events from George Orwell’s novel as seen through the lens of Winston Smith and Julia. Pictured, Suzanna Hamilton and John Hurt as Julia and Winston in the 1984 film Nineteen Eighty-Four

Richard Blair Blair, the son of George Orwell, stated that the estate had been “looking for some time” for an author who could tell Julia’s tale and Newman seemed like the right choice. 

Orwell’s classic 1948 novel is told through Winston’s point-of-view. Winston lives in Oceania, a dystopian state that imposes the brainwashing thoughts on a society.

Winston, one of literature’s most unusual heroes, works in the Ministry of Truth. Here, Winston rewrites history for Big Brother.

There he meets Julia, the blonde in oily overalls. She works at the Fiction Department’s novel writing machines.

Orwell's 1948 classic, pictured, is told from the point of view of frail, cowardly and misogynistic Winston

Pictured: Orwell’s classic 1948 novel is told through the eyes of Winston, who is frail and cowardly.

She passes her boyfriend in the hallway and slips her a note saying “I love You” to him. Thus begins their tragic secret relationship. 

Newman’s novel will address ‘two of the unanswered questions’ of Orwell’s original novel, explained literary executor Bill Hamilton: what Julia sees in Winston, and how she has navigated her way through the party hierarchy. 

Granta, the publisher notes Julia “understands Oceania better than Winston” and that she’s essentially content with her life.   

According to a spokesperson, she had never seen another world until Winston met her.

“She is opportunistic and believes in nothing, but doesn’t care about politics. She breaks all rules, but she also works with the government when necessary.

She is an ideal Oceanian citizen. But when one day, finding herself walking toward Winston Smith in a long corridor, she impulsively hands him a note – a potentially suicidal gesture – she comes to realise that she’s losing her grip and can no longer safely navigate her world.’

The new novel is described as a ‘companion’ to the original –  has the backing of Orwell’s estate, including his adopted son Richard Blair. 

Newman was a perfect fit for the estate, as it has been “looking for some time” for an author to tell Winston’s story.

George Orwell

Julia, slated for publication in 2023, is penned by little-known American author Sandra Newman, pictured, who won critical acclaim for her own dystopian novel and has won the backing of Orwell's son for the project

Julia will be published by Sandra Newman in 2023. Sandra Newman is an obscure American author. She won critical acclaim with her dystopian novel The End of the World and was given the support from Orwell’s son. Left, George Orwell 

Bill Hamilton, estate literary executor, stated that “Two of Orwell’s unanswered question in the novel are what Julia is seeing in Winston and how she has navigated her path through the party hierarchy. 

“Sandra” gets beneath the skin of Big Brother in convincing fashion. She is true to Big Brother, but she also tells a dramatic new story to go alongside it.

“The million readers that grew up reading Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four will be able to find it a stimulating and fulfilling companion.” 

Jason Arthur, the publisher, said that you are familiar with Nineteen Eighty Four regardless of whether you’ve read it as a child, teenager or adult. 

‘It’s probably the most iconic English novel of the twentieth century; one that has seeped into our culture in innumerable ways. Sandra Newman’s JULIA is extraordinary – a retelling of this iconic novel by one of this generation’s most original and talented writers. 

“And with this inspiring novel, a campaign creative and innovative will help bring it to the market in an exciting manner. It will surely be the best event publication of the year, according to me.