To appreciate the highs, sometimes you need to take the lows that go with it. It emphasises the point that feeling good all the time isn’t where it’s at. I’ve read plenty of other reviews that suggest this is a good read for anyone who has or has suffered from depression. On the surface that might sound good, but I think it would be hell. They don’t have to think, they just have to do as they’re told. Everybody has their role and they fulfil it to the best of their ability. There is no such thing as sadness or lack of purpose. ![]() Citizens are effectively controlled by the use of ‘feel-good’ drugs and activities. For example, Brave New World has a completely different social class system, based on intelligence, to the one we used to. There may be similarities between the societies of Brave New World and the modern-day, but there are also very distinct differences. Kind of like the chicken and egg argument. What I wonder the most about is whether the ideas written by these authors have given birth to the reality, or whether they did have an inkling of human capabilities and technological advancements that were within reach of mankind. I find it fascinating to compare the ideas that authors had decades ago as to what was futuristic to them at the time and what similar theories we as a society have now about the next few decades. It’s strange to consider because prescriptions for it now are so commonplace. Even giving birth control advice was only allowed in Britain in 1930. Yes, for thousands of years there have been home remedies and techniques to prevent it. Whilst we don’t exactly have a designer baby thing going on, treatments such as IVF are now available and can involve an element of this.Įqually, the clinical aspect of birth control was in its infancy in the 1930s. One of the groundbreaking elements of the book is that humans are not born traditionally, but are genetically modified for desirable qualities, fertilised in vitro and are effectively incubated until birth. Some of the undoubtedly futuristic elements in B rave New World (considering it was published in 1932) are not so wild in the present day. This is why I think it’s a great place to start it’s not intimidating and it has plenty to offer despite the reduced page count. Not only is the plot of Brave New World interesting, but it’s one of the shorter classic books I’ve read at just over 260 pages. Largely set in a futuristic World State, inhabited by genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation and classical conditioning that are combined to make a dystopian society that is challenged by only a single individual: the story’s protagonist. ![]() You could always give that a try first? Although it’s not 100% true to the book (but covers the main topics and concepts well), I still enjoyed it regardless!īrave New World is a dystopian novel by English author Aldous Huxley, written in 1931 and published in 1932. I wish they were given more of a chance, and if I were to suggest you pick up any, Brave New World is a great one to start with!Īnd, if you’re not sure, there is a TV series based on the book on Now TV. ![]() I’ve even gone back to books that I read and hated at school and I enjoyed them. However, they do need to be given their due. I have a whole host of opinions on how the education system doesn’t promote reading, but that’s for another day. After I left school I said the same thing. Since classic novels are typically taught in school I think a lot of people have the misconception that they’re going to be dry, dull or that no one in a million years would want to spend their free time reading them. But, I’m going to do my best to do the book justice! I confess that my first thought was along the lines of ‘where do I even begin reviewing this?’. When perusing through the list of books I’ve read I discovered that I hadn’t yet reviewed Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Since it has been about a month since I last shared a book review I’ve decided it’s time to get my thinking cap on and share my thoughts with you on a previous read.
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