Reviews

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

almyworld's review against another edition

4.0

I have never read a book with such a brutal protagonist who just has to be pure evil. His actions are inhumane and he severly lacks empathy. There was kind of not one single soul in this book with good intentions, always having a thought behind their action. This novel let's yourself question what good actions really are - is a behavior without doing harm and violence still good if the person doing it has no other choice? This novel is filled with corruption and betrayal, whe the somewhat made up teen language gives it a little twist.

kris_hayward's review against another edition

4.0

Shockingly relevant to the state of politics (esp in the states) today. Sometimes wished Burgess didn't just come flat out with the morals via statements from side characters + sometimes wished he was a bit clearer about how Alex's persona is as much a by-product of societal conditioning as is his later, government-conditioned body. If I had a nickel every time Kubrick adapted a good book in a way that goes against the authors' image, I would have 2 nickels

redtallis's review against another edition

reflective fast-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

3.5

peytonliveslife's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

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

4.0

deciphering what alex was saying at any given time was like a silly little game. i like your riddles, milk man. 

meganbeckk's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition

5.0

Of course, A Clockwork Orange is a classic. Interestingly, the author seemed unhappy about the whole thing. As for the story itself, I'm thrilled to have finally read it and read it in its entirety. I think that the last chapter makes a much better ending than the one in the movie (which just skips that last chapter, as did the American edition of the book).

hayleighcrynes's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

hannahjgreen89's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-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

3.5

You will feel both accomplished and disturbed upon reading this novel. It’s dystopian, nightmarish fiction with wit, gore and societal commentary. I never watched the movie and don’t believe I ever will. Also, you will basically learn a new language while reading this. Gen Z’s got nothing on Anthony Burgess.

frances_the_red's review against another edition

4.0

The strangest english vocabulary I've ever seen...
Great story, thrill and dystopic elements just like I like it. And waaaay better than the movie like always.

evaboro's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense 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

4.0