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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
"A Clockwork Orange" is one of those books you can mangle the title of for some TV show episode and most people will get the reference, but if you ask your buddies if they've read it, you're probably going to get some shrugs, at most.
This is likely because upon opening the book one is hit with slang like a brick to the face and then timidly given a glossary. It might be about a boy "whose principal interests are rape, ultra-violence and Beethoven", but it is also about a good deal of linguistics. Props to Burgess for creating a nigh-unpalatable combo of incredible violence (tends to reduce your audience) and hard work on the part of the reader (tends to reduce your audience). However, a hundred pages in it is a seamless read, and there's actually a fair bit of context offered for slang words and even some flat-out explanations by Alex. They just happen not to be at the beginning. As for violence, yes, it's bad, but it didn't make my stomach do loops the way I assumed it might. A slightly concerning indication of how much violence is already in the media? ...Potentially?
This review will be spoiler-light, but the final chapter does offer a very different experience from the movie/edited book, and is stronger for it. It offers a kind of "third option", as you will, and a more universal one at that.
This is likely because upon opening the book one is hit with slang like a brick to the face and then timidly given a glossary. It might be about a boy "whose principal interests are rape, ultra-violence and Beethoven", but it is also about a good deal of linguistics. Props to Burgess for creating a nigh-unpalatable combo of incredible violence (tends to reduce your audience) and hard work on the part of the reader (tends to reduce your audience). However, a hundred pages in it is a seamless read, and there's actually a fair bit of context offered for slang words and even some flat-out explanations by Alex. They just happen not to be at the beginning. As for violence, yes, it's bad, but it didn't make my stomach do loops the way I assumed it might. A slightly concerning indication of how much violence is already in the media? ...Potentially?
This review will be spoiler-light, but the final chapter does offer a very different experience from the movie/edited book, and is stronger for it. It offers a kind of "third option", as you will, and a more universal one at that.
I thought the language was going to be an issue but it was so well written that it served as an instrument to the story, rather than a barrier.
challenging
dark
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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
have not stopped thinking about the experience of watching the film in a theater with malcolm mcdowell in the house and hearing his obviously amazing insights on the making of the film etc so I had to finally read the book. it’s perfect!! 100% agree with kubrick’s decision to omit the final chapter though
Read it over break a year or two ago. Maybe I'll give this one another go at some point, but mostly I was too disturbed to enjoy it or draw much meaning from it.
I just don't like the odd language. I understand there's a purpose for this, but I still don't like it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5/5 … So, like, I had a go at this book back in 2022, right after I’d finished up with college and was on a plane to some conference in Canada, all excited like. Now, my seat mate on the flight, he’s all grinning and spazzing out when he sees me pull out this book, and he starts jabbering away like, “Oh, you seen the Kubrick film, haven’t you?” I told him no, of course. Then he keeps going on about how, “Oh, this book’s a real cracker, and the movie’s a belter too! You’ll love it, trust me!” So I just smiled and gave the proper like: “Oh yes, I’m really looking forward to it, heard nothing but good things!” Then, like, I just clammed up, shut the book, and viddied out the bloody window for the rest of the ride.
It’s a bit of a horror show, innit, the way no one wants to look out of the plane window. I mean, how often do you actually get to be up there, looking down on the world below us, all tiny and far away? It’s like you’re floating in the air, but still tethered to the ground, right?
Then I get to Montreal, and I try again to read the book in the evenings, lying on the bed in the hotel room, but there’s my roomie, Makenna (if you see this, hello!), and I found I much preferred the chat with her instead. And before I knew it, three years had gone by, and I finally circled back to this book, got through all 21 chapters, proper-like, before I went and watched the movie to give my own take on it.
Okay lol, I’m quite proud of that. Alex, you’ve rubbed off on me. I basically have a Cockney Nadsat accent now!
I loved this! I know I probably shouldn’t like Alex so much but I really felt for him. I feel like if he had better influences, there was probably potential for him to become a better person without the need for intervention. I am a strong believer in people having the capacity to change, and it’s clear with the 21st chapter that Burgess is optimistic in his belief that even someone like Alex has the potential to become a better person and make positive choices. Alex, as he gets older, is able to recognize more what he wants for himself, devoid of his delinquent ways and more towards settling down and starting a family. However, it’s evident that Burgess believes this must be a choice. People must actively choose to want to be a good person and must want to make decisions that will help the most people. Otherwise, a person who is incapable of violent behavior because they are devoid of the opportunity to decide for themselves, are no longer acting in good conscience. Can one really call themself a good person if they can’t actually choose their actions? A life without free will, even if “good”, is a mechanical and clockwork experience!
It’s a bit of a horror show, innit, the way no one wants to look out of the plane window. I mean, how often do you actually get to be up there, looking down on the world below us, all tiny and far away? It’s like you’re floating in the air, but still tethered to the ground, right?
Then I get to Montreal, and I try again to read the book in the evenings, lying on the bed in the hotel room, but there’s my roomie, Makenna (if you see this, hello!), and I found I much preferred the chat with her instead. And before I knew it, three years had gone by, and I finally circled back to this book, got through all 21 chapters, proper-like, before I went and watched the movie to give my own take on it.
Okay lol, I’m quite proud of that. Alex, you’ve rubbed off on me. I basically have a Cockney Nadsat accent now!
I loved this! I know I probably shouldn’t like Alex so much but I really felt for him. I feel like if he had better influences, there was probably potential for him to become a better person without the need for intervention. I am a strong believer in people having the capacity to change, and it’s clear with the 21st chapter that Burgess is optimistic in his belief that even someone like Alex has the potential to become a better person and make positive choices. Alex, as he gets older, is able to recognize more what he wants for himself, devoid of his delinquent ways and more towards settling down and starting a family. However, it’s evident that Burgess believes this must be a choice. People must actively choose to want to be a good person and must want to make decisions that will help the most people. Otherwise, a person who is incapable of violent behavior because they are devoid of the opportunity to decide for themselves, are no longer acting in good conscience. Can one really call themself a good person if they can’t actually choose their actions? A life without free will, even if “good”, is a mechanical and clockwork experience!
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad