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magram's review
2.0
Detailed writing which shows his command of the English language.
The content of the book however shows how wrong the author was, with many ideas being disregarded as pseudoscience nowadays. It is a great example of why one should we cautious of based their ideas of fiction.
The content of the book however shows how wrong the author was, with many ideas being disregarded as pseudoscience nowadays. It is a great example of why one should we cautious of based their ideas of fiction.
kaiare's review against another edition
5.0
difficult read but fantastic message, almost prophetic in its analogies to negatives of capitalism and consumerism. Gives great tips on how to be present and live your life.
disneyboy7's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
marinasendkast's review against another edition
5.0
Such an odd but fantastic book. It's a Brave New World turned inside out, a Brave New World where Huxley doesn't only point at the problems of society but also provides a solution.
It isn't a great literary story because nothing barely happens. Will Farnaby, a journalist working for a big oil tycoon, intentionally shipwrecks in the island of Pala, and you see him talking to people and being a tourist for the rest of the novel. But the greatness of this novel doesn't come from what happens, but from the conversations Will has, the relationships that he builds and the inner self-reflection.
The novel also shows Huxley's great intellect, showing great expertise in many different fields and building this complex utopian society that gives us hope that there is good in the world.
Bonus points because I find the topics of Buddhism, ecology and eastern philosophy incredibly interesting.
It isn't a great literary story because nothing barely happens. Will Farnaby, a journalist working for a big oil tycoon, intentionally shipwrecks in the island of Pala, and you see him talking to people and being a tourist for the rest of the novel. But the greatness of this novel doesn't come from what happens, but from the conversations Will has, the relationships that he builds and the inner self-reflection.
The novel also shows Huxley's great intellect, showing great expertise in many different fields and building this complex utopian society that gives us hope that there is good in the world.
Bonus points because I find the topics of Buddhism, ecology and eastern philosophy incredibly interesting.
alexmusic's review against another edition
I really did love it & I love Huxley but it is LABOR to read this dense ass book. Finally accepting i won’t finish it… at least for now
jrlee27's review against another edition
4.0
I find myself reading a lot of Aldous Huxley lately, The Doors of Perception (DP), Brave New World (BNW), (some shorter stuff), and, now, Island. DP just seems like an unrepentant stoner's testament to me--totally biased and untrustworthy. OTOH, I think BNW has a lot going for it in the way of ideas. Now, Island. Huxley's last novel, Island, is littered with profundities for which I am quite enthused. BTAIM, I can't entirely get behind it because he's decided to wind it up with a vigorous attempt at making a case for use of psychedelic drug use to attain enlightenment such as a mystic would spend years of effort at. I am not saying I am a mystic, but I'd rather get at it honestly than having my perceptions altered (in Huxley's case, apparently unalterably) through psychedelic drugs.
itsturtletime's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
_nayla_'s review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is full of hella snippets. It's got snippets on:
- sexuality (lots of breasts were noticed by our dear Aldous)
- cynicism vs acceptance
- religious extremism
- drugz
- pessimism and negativity, the divorce from our own minds and bodies
- oligarchy and monarchy and plutocracy and imperialism and
- oil
Though to be honest with you, most of it was forgettable. A gentle slog through metaphor, an uncomfortable, soggy walk through a muddy glade. Will broke his leg, yet I feel like I lived through the entire, 1x time healing process alongside him. No wonder it took me so long to finish the book!
I understand how important and groundbreaking and of its time etcetera this book is — I'm acutely aware of when it was written and with what influences. It's not so much a novel as it is a desperate attempt to create a utopia in a world that is falling apart. Huxley feels pain while writing the novel, so he creates a world where pain does not have to be felt. He's horrified by extreme violence and poverty, so he invents foolproof systems of communication, violence prevention, and education to combat the world's programming. He's plagued by negativity and knowledge, so the mynah birds catch both his attention and ours as he writes, remind him to 'pay attention' to the 'here and now.'
Honestly, it wasn't a good or bad book — it just was. I'm glad I read it.
Overall: I'm relieved to get another 'classic' under my belt!
- sexuality (lots of breasts were noticed by our dear Aldous)
- cynicism vs acceptance
- religious extremism
- drugz
- pessimism and negativity, the divorce from our own minds and bodies
- oligarchy and monarchy and plutocracy and imperialism and
- oil
Though to be honest with you, most of it was forgettable. A gentle slog through metaphor, an uncomfortable, soggy walk through a muddy glade. Will broke his leg, yet I feel like I lived through the entire, 1x time healing process alongside him. No wonder it took me so long to finish the book!
I understand how important and groundbreaking and of its time etcetera this book is — I'm acutely aware of when it was written and with what influences. It's not so much a novel as it is a desperate attempt to create a utopia in a world that is falling apart. Huxley feels pain while writing the novel, so he creates a world where pain does not have to be felt. He's horrified by extreme violence and poverty, so he invents foolproof systems of communication, violence prevention, and education to combat the world's programming. He's plagued by negativity and knowledge, so the mynah birds catch both his attention and ours as he writes, remind him to 'pay attention' to the 'here and now.'
Honestly, it wasn't a good or bad book — it just was. I'm glad I read it.
Overall: I'm relieved to get another 'classic' under my belt!