How ‘1984’ Became an Overnight Sensation

George Orwell’s classic novel sold well when it appeared in 1949, but ironically it took a now legendary live TV performance in 1954 to make the book required reading everywhere.
Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/12/18/how-1984-became-an-overnight-sensation.html?source=Snapzu