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Martin Freeman kicks of a day of readings from Nineteen Eighty-Four, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Orwell's great dystopian novel, as part of Radio 4's 'Orwell vs Kafka' season.

Other readers include: Tom Hollander, Juliet Stevenson, Samuel West, Adjoa Andoh and Rhashan Stone.

The year is 1984. War and revolution have left the world unrecognisable. Great Britain, now known as Airstrip One, is ruled by the Party, and its leader, Big Brother, stares out from every poster. The Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal, and no one is free. Winston Smith works at The Ministry of Truth, carefully rewriting history, but he dreams of freedom and of rebellion. When he falls in love with Julia, their affair is an act of rebellion against the Party. But nothing is secret. And Room 101 awaits...

Orwell's cautionary tale was first published in 1949, and is one of the 20th century's most influential novels.

Today: Simply by opening a diary, Winston Smith has committed Thoughtcrime. And Big Brother is watching...

Reader: Martin Freeman is an award-winning actor, known for his film and TV roles, including The Office, Sherlock, and The Hobbit film trilogy.
Writer: George Orwell was one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, known best for his novels Animal Farm and 1984.
Abridger: Robin Brooks
Producer: Justine Willett