Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - A Clockwork Orange

Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

60 reviews

lucy_readsbooks13's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.25

I had semi high hopes for this one. I wanted to see the movie for a while, and when I found out that it was based on a book I knew I wanted to read it first. Now, I'm thinking that the movie will be better than the book.
The book was, at first, hard to get into, it took me a month to power through the first 6-7 chapters. Last night I finished the book, from that 2 year jump when we first see Alex in prison, in an hour and a half and I can't believe I stayed up until midnight for that.
Look, in my opinion, this should've ended when Alex threw himself through the window. It was such a dynamic scene, with the music in the background and him being hurt by one positive thing that brought him happiness and peace, it would be poetic. Everything after that was a waste of time, paper and ink.
I've read some facts and articles about the author and the novel, that said I understand what Burgess wanted to say and the way he went about it, the point behind Alex "growing up" but the ending was completely anticlimactic and all of the tension/drama/suspence, whatever you wanna call it, was lost the moment that scene in the hospital started.
I will watch the movie, hoping, while knowing that it disregards author's wishes, it is better than the book.

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bellaw_7's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad 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

5.0

Content Warnings

cristinaherrera's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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b00ksm4rt's review against another edition

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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

4.0

Content Warnings

haloform's review against another edition

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dark tense

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

the language used in this book is absolutely fascinating and creative; etymology is an important part of worldbuilding both in terms of the in-universe explanations for word origins, as well as why the author chose said words and what they sound like. the language is by far the most interesting part of the book as any commentary it tries to make is halfdone and unconvincing under scrutiny, and the plot and characters used to make the point are not especially interesting or notable.

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