It's been years since I've read the book. I did not find it difficult to read. But, for sure, it did haunt me.

My recollection is that Julia and Winston got together because of a love note Julia slipped to Winston during a Big Brother rally. That led to the affair. Winston's "marriage" was over before that. Julia did not turn Winston in. Rather it was a shopkeeper that rented out a love nest for them.

Maybe I do need to re-read this book.