The cover of the 75th Anniversary Edition of George Orwell’s “1984” looks like it’s gearing up for some halftime entertainment rather than a deep dive into dystopian surveillance. The bright red background and the giant blue and white eye in the center make it feel like this book is watching you as intently as a quarterback eyeing his wide receiver. The bold, modern font of Orwell’s name and the title make it clear this is a classic, but the design is a bit of a Hail Mary—bold, but does it score a touchdown? I’m not so sure.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Summary: A bold, eye-catching cover that feels more like a sports logo than the face of a dystopian classic.

Reviewed by: Jake “The Tank” Johnson