This is a spot on retelling of 1984 from the perspective of Julia, giving us broader insight into how life potentially could have been for women in Orwells London. Newman clearly studied the original text inside and out, utilising throw away scenes (Winston kicking away a hand after a bomb blast) to give us broader commentary on society and general life.
There were a couple of stylistic choices I didn't like which didn't quite make it a 5* - mainly the coarseness of inner dialogue around sex and the female body. I understand why but it felt out of place for me considering the strength of writing elsewhere.
Despite that I still loved it. 1984 is one of my favourite books of all time and I love the connections we get in this book and how much of an addition it feels to the source material.