1985 - Anthony Burgess

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...A Clockwork Orange represents the artistic ideal of originality at its most vibrant and exciting. Written in the composite Nadsat language, its subtle rhythms, seductive cadences, and irreverent humour can never fail to delight and amuse. Yet what this fantastic artifice encases is a dark and thought-provoking tale of the human condition. Burgess’ deconstruction of the problem of evil, and the theological and philosophical implications of such deconstruction makes A Clockwork Orange more than the simple violent classic it has a repuation for being. A book which defines culture, in both its readers and in itself.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Thought provoking
Disadvantages: Language can be difficult to understand

...Burgess excels himself in this fantastic science fiction story of a young man and his pals in a depraved society. It is a morality tale, which also has a compelling story. The central theme to the story is the question of mind control. Living in an era of violence and disorder, Alex the main character, is one of the most depraved. He goes to jail for rape and assault, and volunteers for a form of mind control which removes his ability to commit violence, but at the cost of his freewill. Burgess tries to convince us that people should be able to do what they want, good or bad, and not be turned into a clockwork orange - an automaton whose actions are dicated by others. There are many other themes, but then I would ruin the story by talking about them!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: good moral to the story
Disadvantages: none

..."A clockwork Orange" is one of those books that can change a societies view of themselves, and even now, looking back, it is possible to see aspects of Anthony Burgess's eerily similar society in our own uncaring, media manipulative world. The book is of course even better known now because of Stanley Kubricks excellent yet notorious film version, in which the language possibly fits slightly better than it does in the book. I think this is because of the visual images created by Kubrick could not enhance the brilliant work in this book any more if he tried. Both versions are masterpieces and it is about time the outraged masses realised this book is not condoning violence; it is divining what the future could hold if we do not change soon.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful