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Well, it's one of the dystopian classics. Should be required reading, until all required readings - along with compulsory schooling - is banned as... (show more)
Brave New World
"Community, Identity, Stability" is the motto of Aldous Huxley's utopian World State. Here everyone consumes daily grams of soma, to fight depression, babies are born in laboratories, and the most popular form of entertainment is a "Feelie," a movie that stimulates the senses of sight, hearing, and touch. Though there is no violence and everyone is provided for, Bernard Marx feels something is missing and senses his relationship with a young women has the potential to be much more than the co... (show more)
"Community, Identity, Stability" is the motto of Aldous Huxley's utopian World State. Here everyone consumes daily grams of soma, to fight depression, babies are born in laboratories, and the most popular form of entertainment is a "Feelie," a movie that stimulates the senses of sight, hearing, and touch. Though there is no violence and everyone is provided for, Bernard Marx feels something is missing and senses his relationship with a young women has the potential to be much more than the confines of their existence allow. (show less)
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Reviews (See all 7,847) Write a reviewfor this
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Awful sentence construction, inconsistent narration, and just way, way too many pronouns. Aldous Huxley couldn't have made a fantastic story any m... (show more)
Awful sentence construction, inconsistent narration, and just way, way too many pronouns. Aldous Huxley couldn't have made a fantastic story any more difficult to get into or the characters any less interesting. He couldn't have shifted his focus any more than he did and still have such an amazing story full of insight and prescience.
Because the construction of his version of the dystopian wold is so fascinating, so blasphemous and so disturbing, this novel is worth reading, but reader beware, he is no Michael Chabon. It will not be a pleasure to read, and this is the shame of such a great story.
I still recommend it as a must read. I think during times of stem-cell research, genetically modified foods, and cloning, we owe it to our internal debate to understand Huxley's view of science gone awry. We also owe it a read as the debate over morals in the media and the world in general continues. Are we just conditioned, procreating, consumers? Are we this disgusting? Or are we the opposite, Savages--in Huxley's mind?
Do we have to be one or the other? Where is the middle ground? (show less)
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One of the best books I have ever read.. Huxley is a very gifted writer. It can be Utopia or a Dystopia, it's on you to choose. It is a story about a peaceful futuristic society where there is no such thing as love or individuality. (it is given up to create a community where there no one is or can be alone)
On one side it conciders how can technology effect society - every human is genetically modified to fit a job he is given (to eliminate unhappiness - there is complete satisfaction with ... (show more)
One of the best books I have ever read.. Huxley is a very gifted writer. It can be Utopia or a Dystopia, it's on you to choose. It is a story about a peaceful futuristic society where there is no such thing as love or individuality. (it is given up to create a community where there no one is or can be alone)
On one side it conciders how can technology effect society - every human is genetically modified to fit a job he is given (to eliminate unhappiness - there is complete satisfaction with everything) and with these people as a building material create a completely stabile society ( if any problem, people are given a drug called soma) there is free sex (everyone belongs to everyone), no art, no religion etc. and on the other hand it conciders the question of human nature - human emotions and their importance in life or if there is any life without them.
Seen with the eyes of a "noble savage" we can find a solution to this question. Whether it is the ideal "Brave New World" that it should be. This book is really written to be read! Enjoy :) (show less)
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Though Huxley, from this 21st century vantage, has missed some "prophecies" and over simplified his characterization of human nature, "Brave New World" succeeds in being a relevant critique of political and social organization and of individual choice in the face of potentially dehumanizing technologies. Even more explicit and impressive is Huxley in "Brave New World Revisited" where he, without the veil of fiction, editorializes his reasoning and meta-convictio... (show more)
Though Huxley, from this 21st century vantage, has missed some "prophecies" and over simplified his characterization of human nature, "Brave New World" succeeds in being a relevant critique of political and social organization and of individual choice in the face of potentially dehumanizing technologies. Even more explicit and impressive is Huxley in "Brave New World Revisited" where he, without the veil of fiction, editorializes his reasoning and meta-convictions for wanting to warn members of his own species away from over-organization and over-population. "Revisited" makes a few apologetic motions over "BNW," but-- written as a series of articles twenty-seven years after-- Huxley created a fully disclosed, philosophical companion for his original work. "Revisited" stands on its own and becomes more where the late Huxley lets us in his head for a moment to glean, from his historical perspective, what dangers may lie ahead for democratic systems and the dreams of its citizens.
One of many criticisms: "BNW" is, essentially, a system-critique using a particular synthesis of history to deliver us to a uncomfortable vision of our future. "BNW" does not offer solutions, and even the chapter "What Can Be Done" in "Revisited" does rise from some highly arguable conclusions about such a historical perspective. "BNW's" fiction has the tendency to obscure its reader from access to the author's sources and reasoning. A less than careful reader may be enticed to accept Huxley's picture as he presents it rather than to let the material fall upon and wrestle with his/her own education. (show less)
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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery." I loved this book, especially the end. The foreword of my version was also particularly helpful, as it drew connections to Orwell's 1984 and had me perpetually comparing Brave New World to other dystopias. Huxley's writing was wonderful in places, I loved his use of Shakespeare, and his foresight at times was as interesting as it was terrifying. In short, I highly recommend this.
Facebook User about 1 month ago -
Does Lenina die?
I'm sort of unclear about the end, I'm sure that it's probably supposed to be open to interpretation...but does the Savage actually end up killing her?
Facebook User about 1 year ago -
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Which do you prefer 1984 or Brave New World?
Huxley responds to Orwell's vision in the intorduction to Brave New World, which do you think is a better book? 1984 or Brave New World?
Personally I like Aldous's view of things and his style a bit better, I like the idea of approaching the future through a view of more basic human conditions than political positions. While there is a certain degree of politics in BNW it is much more subdued than in 1984 which is good in it's own right but ultimately looses something in its topicality. Although I will say after the Patriot Act I think it's possible to read 1984 as decidedly less Russian.
Andy Czachowski about 1 year ago -
Which do you prefer: Island or Brave New World? (both by Huxley)
Island all the way. I never could get into BNW, despite having to read it for class. Island deals with deeper concepts and presents them in a better more understandable way. They should teach Island in high schools, not BNW.
Antaeus Bolinsky Edelsohn 9 months ago -
New Film Version - by Ridley Scott!
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/06/05/ridley-scotts-new-sci-fi-project-is-brave-new-world/
News there that Ridley Scott of Blade Runner fame (itself adapted from a book by Philip K. Dick) is to make the latest film version of Huxley's Brave New World.
I think this would be very cool. What do you think?
Facebook User about 1 year ago -
I need help with things I've heard.
I have heard some interesting stories about the writing of this book. The first story i heard goes like this; Aldous Huxley worte "A Brave New World" in one sitting. The other and more interesting story says he wrote the book in one sitting while high on cocaine. I want to know if there is any validity to either of these stories.
Grant Johansen about 1 year ago -
Is the Brave New World so bad?
Let's face it, the world detailed in this book likely scares the intellectual people that read this. But I felt it would not be so bad. Not necessarily for me (I might get sent to another Island), but certainly raise the plight of much of the world. It was a welcome utopia to the world described in 1984.
My point is this...if people don't mind doing work, and are happy, is it so bad? I am not sure.
Facebook User about 1 year ago -
Was anyone else more disturbed by the savage's actions than those of the other characters?
The savage disturbed me in a visceral way that the other characters just didn't. Not just his actions, but his mindset. With the exception of the affection he had for his mother, there doesn't seem to be anything good about him. I was wondering if anyone else had the same reaction.
Also, do you think that the savage was supposed to be a sympathetic character?
Denali Endicott about 1 year ago -
Huxley as an author
I think there are some short comings in the book because Huxley was not a totally accomplished author and really was a scientist. These small blemishes are so totally eclipsed by how incredibly accurate the predictions made in the book were that this book is easily in my all time favorites.
Byron Jansen about 1 year ago
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