Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Un Mundo Feliz by Aldous Huxley

91 reviews

luke_823's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Drug use, Slavery, and Drug abuse

Minor: Racism

linguistictabby's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Self harm, Ableism, and Death

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Racism

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Suicide

befreckledbookworm's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

“Brave New World” is the last work I had to read for my AP Literature class and I think it beats “The Awakening” for the title of Worst Classic. Everything about this book disgusted me, from the world building to the treatment of indigenous cultures as a monolith and them being the “scourge” of society so to speak. I understand that Huxley was making commentary on the rise of fascism but that does not excuse the racism and lack of research when it came to proper representation. The research materials existed then, try putting them. Any ideology built around Freudian theory is an instant “no” from me, and any person who has taken a basic psychology class will agree with me. Freud was a disgusting man and the fact that his teachings became part of the belief system in this book should serve as a red flag. Same thing goes for the ideology also being built on the beliefs of Henry Ford, who was a massive anti-Semite and a disgusting capitalist. Needless to say, I hate this book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Medical content, Racism, Sexual content, and Suicide

kaiden511's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

An outdated book with outdated stereotypes about indigenous people. Not worth the read

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry

lunaliz's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Xenophobia, Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Classism, Slavery, and Addiction

Moderate: Racism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Rape, Racial slurs, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

hot_water's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, and Addiction

Moderate: Pedophilia and Suicide

jai_martin's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Torture

Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment, and Racism

notaaron's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I liked the overall theme and ideas of the book, but I didn't like how the narrative progressed and the way conversations were written. It's not a bad read, but if you've read 1984 I think you can skip this one.

It often felt like characters weren't having real conversations, they just exposition dumpted into each other with no nuance to their conversations. I think this book could have done with more Show and less Tell. A lot of the time characters will say a sentance and all of the implications would be spelt out in too much detail on the same line.

The worst example of this was the final coversation between John and Mustapha. At his point the text completely left the narrative and became an essay.

For most of the book the main character is Bernard Marx but at some point he is nearly completely discarded and the main character becomes John. I feel like Bernards character progression isn't finished properly and John's character isn't explored enough for me to really care about him.

Finally, I found the constant Shakespear quoting cliché and annoying. Making your character quote Shakespear every other sentance doesn't make them seem intelligent, it makes them seem like an AI who has been given the task of making themselves seem intelligent.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Suicide

rosinawrites7's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In the common 1984 Vs Brave New World competition, Brave New World definitely wins for me! It's a much more engaging read and is more similar to current society. Huxley's imagination is incredible. Would definitely recommend - once you get your head around the first chapter or two, the story gets more gripping and I enjoyed the read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Classism, Colonisation, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Sexism, and Sexual content

Minor: Suicide, Terminal illness, Racism, Physical abuse, and Misogyny

msharmonyb's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, and Racial slurs