Reviews

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

sheayardyjosh's review

challenging dark hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

ssmart213's review against another edition

3.0

I was slightly disappointed in this after hearing so much praise for it. I loved the language of the story and trying to figure out what was actually going on, however at times I think it took away for the story line. Certain parts bored me while other parts were fascinating.

lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition

4.0

I haven't seen this movie for a very long time (about 7 years ago), but I remember it being much more shocking and brutal than the book. If could be because I was younger or the movie may just be a lot worse. I'll have to rewatch soon. Regardless, this is a really great book. There is violence for sure, but the book has such great themes about morality and freewill.

Also, didn't know until reading this that the 21st chapter wasn't originally included in the U.S. release of the book and the movie is based on that version. It provides an extra bit of Alex's life that I really enjoyed.

deathdavis's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

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

5.0

meese_'s review

4.0

A difficult read at first having to translate all the 'nadsat' slang, but once I got the hang of it I really enjoyed reading this book. An intriguing approach to morality and the ethics of free will, a Clockwork Orange debates whether it is better to live as a bad person freely, or a good person forcefully.

peytoncainn's review

challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-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

Imagine the worst, most violent trip you’ve ever had to get the importance of free will across. That’s this book.
More intellectual thoughts: 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/15583067

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Vomit, Murder, and Rape

qstew's review against another edition

challenging 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

5.0

angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition

3.0

I've never seen the movie, but it seems this book is best made for listening to as an audiobook, as the cockney language can actually be quite distracting and can make it difficult to immediately understand his meaning at times.

I agree with the author that this book never should have been published in America without the final chapter. The movie was made according to the altered book, and I think it takes much of the life out of the fable. If you possibly can, find a true version of the book that includes the final chapter.

Truly, I enjoyed the book, but not until he was presented with an opportunity while in prison did I start respecting it as a literary work. I truly think the US educational system overvalues this book, and while it does raise important questions about the nature of agency and choice, I feel similar questions are better and more elegantly addressed in other works.

I did, however, enjoy seeing a person of his mindset put into his position as he does not dwell on these issues and instead glazes over their effects. That sort of everyman approach leaves me wondering, is he truly representative of the everyman? Or would the everyman be more likely to consider all the implications of his decision far more seriously? It left me wondering.

The fact that the version I read included the final chapter allowed me to truly consider the above question, while I feel that without that chapter, I may have easily written off the author's faith in humanity, and thereby possibly devalue the work further. Including a touch of redemption opens the door to the possibility that the everyman may exist as the main character is portrayed, leaving you wondering if that would be so unfortunate after all. It adds another dimension to what is a fairly well-written work.

nearnik's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

alanp's review

4.0

Loved the film but had never read the book... can now say that I love the book too. I'm not massive fan of the ending. But overall, I love the story and the questions it raises about human free will. Excellent (I didn't realise how short it was though!)