A terrible dystopia or a beautiful utopia?
|
I read this book on the recommendation of a work colleague after reading George Orwell's 1984 and, whilst it is fairly entertaining, it just isn't in the same league as Orwells's masterpiece. It might be wrong to compare the two given that they are very different books, but it seems that some people will read one and then turn to the other, as I did, so a basic comparison seems fair.
1984 is a harsh, brutal novel that preys on our fears of the police state taking over without us even knowing it, something that many would argue is happening right now. The populace portrayed in the book know and understand that their situation is bad but have grown to accept it because they are told and so believe that it is ultimately for the betterment of their nation as a whole.
Brave New World, on the other hand, gives us a future in which the masses are literally bred (in test tubes) into their roles in life, both for work and socially. People are conditioned through chemicals and mind manipulation, both before birth and during childhood, into not only accepting their status in society but actually enjoying it. I actually find Huxley's future quite appealing, especially today when many of us seem to wander through life looking miserable, doing jobs we hate and desperately trying to find our `place'. Even though Huxley's masses' status and happiness might be forced upon them from conception, at least they know, accept and actually enjoy being who and where they are regardless of how this is brought about.
This book is no where near as gritty, nor does it seem as real or as believable as 1984; Huxley's future is cleaner, happier and generally more pleasant that Orwell's, with both the setting and his writing lacking any real bite. Brave New World has been described as one of the great dystopian novels, but I actually see it in the exact opposite light, as a vision of what could be considered a utopian future. By all means read it, but please don't expect it to be a thrilling, terrible read that'll leave you feeling grateful that things aren't as bad as they could be. And I think that is something 1984 still does to this day.
|
|
Was and will make me ill...I take a gramme and just am
|
|
The ultimate dystopian fantasy, made even more eerie by it's remarkable prescience. The masses are kept enslaved by their own hedonistic impulses and the ubiquitous feel good drug soma. Huxley has seen the future and it's ghastly: a society of graded test tube people kept entertained by a virtual reality world i.e 'the feelies'(a kind of interactive movie), an intrusive and prurient media and Christianity forgotten 'because people wouldn't understand it'. Huxley sets his novel 600 years into the future but it's happening to us right now!
|
|
|
BNW - More car than book.
|
|
I first read this book 15 years ago, having reading a few of Huxleys other works (Doors of Perception/Heaven & Hell, Ape & Essence, Chrome Yellow). All of which are far better books than this one, although Huxley's insites into how the future of human society developes, become more vivid with each passing day.
|
|
|
Essential reading
|
|
One of the twentieth century's most important dystopian novels, possibly even one of it's most important novels at all. A fantastic combination of engaging storyline and a social commentary that continues to be incredibly relevant.
|
|
Who Said Brave New World Was Good??
|
Some say that Brave New World is a classic, but I question this. I admit it is imaginative and provocative book, but in my opinion Huxley has taken his idea too far, and in doing so loses the excitement factor in his plot. I recommend it for those who want to struggle through a book, because although I have a passion for reading, this one failed to live up to expectations and did not 'ignite my fire'. It could be said that I am not a fair judge because I do not enjoy science fiction, but it did not alter my opinion.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada