1984 is a tiny paperback that's very accessible and probably takes a couple hours to read?

It's not like 1984 has a feel-good ending that's like "yes, fight the power, you will be successful and not ruin your own life quixotically."

I do think there is value in fighting the power... but 1984 is not a book that depicts such a choice working out well.

People aren't pretending, they just like the word.