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AliasMe
12-20-2007, 04:26 AM
Hi all,

I have just finished reading this book for the second time, and I was certain that around the first time I read it, I also read something about the existence of a fairly significant misprint. I have searched on Google quite extensively, and could find no mention of this anywhere, which struck me as really odd. Anyway, I was sure that it had something to do with the "2+2=5" thing, and I had noticed that in my copy of 1984, in part III section 6 there is a bit that reads

"Almost unconciously he traced with his finger on the dust on the table:

2+2="

There is no answer given. That seemed a little odd, so I looked at the online text at http://www.george-orwell.org/1984/22.html and, sure enough, it reads

"Almost unconsciously he traced with his finger in the dust on the table:

2+2=5"

Does anyone know how widespread this misprint is? It seems fairly significant. Has it now been corrected in all printed additions? And why on earth does there seem to be no note of this anywhere on the internet? (or have the Records Department staff at Minitrue 'corrected' all references to it :) )

For the record, my copy of 1984 is a Penguin paperback printed in Britain in 1976.

one_raven
12-20-2007, 06:37 AM
Maybe you have the only one.
OK, not likely, but it could be quite rare.
Speak with a collector.

The Atheist
12-23-2007, 03:04 PM
Most likely you're the first person with that particular Penguin to notice and draw attention to it.

The trouble with 1984 is that there are literally hundreds of prints of it and probably lots of them have an error or two in the pre-computer typesetting days. I know one of mine has. Not that one, though.

Gojogo
02-21-2008, 11:53 AM
Hey, mine also reads 2+2= thought it was for tension building when I read it. I think it works pretty well.

So I wasn't aware it is a misprint and don't have the first copy I read with me.

My print is a Penguin 1972 edition.

The Atheist
02-21-2008, 06:08 PM
Damned penguins; who ever let them start a printing business?