Search - Brave New World (P.S.)

A darkly satiric vision of a "Utopian" future - where humans are genetically bred and pharmaceutically anesthetized to passively serve a ruling order.

I know this book is considered a "classic" but after having read it in high school and trying again as an adult, I still didn't like it. Luckily, this time, I could quit halfway through because I didn't need to take a test afterward. I still find the book to be full of paranoia and preaching. It's like the author tries to say that the more technologically advanced we become, the more "depraved" (according to certain religious teachings) we will be. It fails to point out that humankind, before technology, was full of bigots who liked to burn non-Christians at the stake. This book tries to make everything just seem like the future will be full of bad people because these people rely on science instead of religion. Having said that, I don't agree with the ethics these people have developed in the story, but I just don't see it to be a "masterpiece" when it's full of such paranoid speculation.

Considered a classic in apocalyptic literature, Brave New World was received to negative reviews when it was published in 1932. This book examines a 2540 utopian society who accepts promiscuous sex and drug use. The forward thinking author creates a carefree, technologically advanced society, produced by genetically bred humans who obey the ruling order passively. Drug “soma” designed to keep one perpetually calm and happy. In other words, ignorance is bliss. The frightening premise suggests that the individuality and human ambition will be sacrificed for harmony in society.

Incidentally, the use of “For the love of Ford” injected some humor into the dialogue.

Intriguing premise about a possible dystopian future of people kept under control through pleasure and drugs. Not as compelling or vivid as George Orwell's "1984," Aldous Huxley nontheless has some interesting ideas which work as counterpoints to Orwell.

My biggest problem with "Brave New World" is the quality of Huxley's writing. His prose lacks any subtlety and feels amateurish. The writing "tells" much more than it "shows," which distracted me from what might have been a great read. I expected better from something considered such a classic.