1985: A Historical Report (Hongkong 2036) from the Hungarian of ***

This book is really meant to follow 1984 as those who are not familiar with the Orwellian classic will not be able to follow the plot enough to enjoy it to it's fullest. I found it sharp, hilarious, and a great read.

Dalos's 1985 is an intellectual masterpiece of historical parody. Constructed as a series of historical documents by and about the main characters of 1984, it gives the reader a sense of historicism. Also, an entire subplot of the "author's" personal tribulations surrounding his investigation into controversial events takes place in the footnotes, which go from objectively historical to personally cynical as the novel progresses. Dalos fits lots of information into a small novel. A valuable read for any interested in literary parodies, the literature behind Prague Spring (of which Dalos was a part), and Eastern European literature when the Iron Curtain was still hanging over half of Europe.