Book Reviews of Brave New World

It's hard to believe this book was written in 1931, Huxley is awfully accurate on some of his futuristic visions of how society could end up.

This book basically describes a society that appears to be Utopian at first glance. Humans are made at certain genetic intelligence and caste; they are conditioned to be grateful for their place in life. Of course humans being humans there are occasionally those who divert from the norm. The story focuses mainly on Bernard Marx, an Alpha who is born too short, and as such ostracized and isolated in a society based on community and on Lenina a woman who is a fairly average society girl who agrees to travel with Bernard to Reservation. At the reservation they meet a Savage named John who travels back with them to "proper" society. What ensues is basically disaster.

The kind of creepy thing is that Huxley is pretty spot on about some of the things in his Utopian society. There is a lot genetic engineering going on, subliminal messaging, regulated drug use to promote serenity, etc. The beginning of the book is the most shocking because they explain how they modify the chemical make up of the fetuses to make them smart or stupid, strong or weak. This is followed by a discussion of how they condition the infants to like or not like certain things based on what function they will have in society. It is a society where everyone is equal but no one gets to make any decisions.

The people in the society are encouraged to be somewhat infantile in their decisions; time not working is spend playing games or engaging in sexual activity. Despite the society being depicted as somewhat British the members are encouraged to give into their baser natures whenever they want...emotion makes for unhappy people so it is best to not think about it too much.

What happens when John, a Savage raised by a (gasp) mother, a man who loves and hurts is brought into this society is fascinating but predictable. He has a hard time making sense of a society where "mother" is an indecent word and love is a foreign concept.

The book is very readable and well-written. The story is engaging. I am sure at the time this book was written it was ground-breaking. Unfortunately most of the factors of society that are discussed in this book I have read discussed in more current books. For me what set this book apart from other dystopians was the fact that it was written so long ago, also the fact that Huxley didn't pull any punches on the human conditioning...they are pretty ruthless, and lastly how reasonable he makes the set-up of such a society sound. There is a portion towards the end of the book where the Controller explains to John how their society evolved to what it is today; the Controller explains what they tried and what actually worked. The Controller's argument sounds disturbingly reasonable and almost makes you understand how a society set-up like the one in this book might work out well for a large amount of people.

Overall I enjoyed the book and I am glad I read it. None of the ideas really blew me away and the story was engaging, but not absolutely incredible. It is a book that makes you think; especially when think of the time frame in which it was written. The topics discussed are something which will make you take pause but some of the ideas presented aren't that far away from where we are today (genetic engineering, etc.). Definitely something to read and something easy to relate to.

The first of the dystopias, Brave New World is a predecessor to books like Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. Join a removed scientist in a sad world where socialism is bent and foaming into even the biology of our civilization, and rationality is found in the savage. Also find a sweet picture of Huxley himself on the back.

This is a great book for those who have moved beyond the possibilitys of what life in this world will end up being. I have not.

Less about "The Future" and more of a meditation on the nature of happiness. First published in 1932 and set in a "Utopia" 600 years later, all the societal structures and rules we live by now have been reversed or replaced entirely: human eggs are fertilized in labs, and developed like lab specimens into babies with predestined castes and occupations; there are no traditional families and the word "mother" is akin to a bad swear word or the punchline of a scatalogical joke; promiscuity is the only acceptable form of interaction because "everyone belongs to everyone"; and mass-produced consumption is the prevailing order. The overriding goal: removing what makes us unhappy in favor of anesthetized social stability.

When a human born of an actual mother is introduced to this "Civilization" and meets the World Controller who rules Utopia, the "Savage" learns that philosophy, religion, literature, and passion are banned because they make the natives uncomfortable and therefore restless, which results in social instability. "But I don't want comfort," he protests. "I want God. I want poetry. I want real danger. I want freedom. I want goodness. I want sin." "In fact then," the Controller responds, "you're claiming the right to be unhappy."

A fantasy of the future that sheds a blazing critical light on the present--considered to be Aldous Huxley's most enduring masterpiece.

In everything Huxley wrote, from the most frivolous to the most profound, there runs the common thread of his search to explain the meaning and possibilities of human life and perception.

Brave New World gives a pessimistic view of human nature. Written in 1932, it is an antiutopia, with its eerie combination of totalitarian government and ubiquitous feel-good drugs and sex. The book disturbed many readers of his day; but it has proven to be Huxley's most enduring and influential work.

One of the best dystopian books ever!

Loved reading this classic. I was a bit frightened at first of some of the language being so old-school, but once I got into the story I could not stop. This book is as relevant, if not more, than it was when Huxley first wrote it. It is a striking premonition of the future state of the world, where the words 'mother' and 'father' are some of the dirtiest words one could speak, and monogamy is not even considered. A great read!

I think this book is excellent. I was wary at first because there are so many books focusing on similar concepts, but Huxley tackles the dystopia with style. Brave New World is just as thought provoking as Orwell's 1984, and equally disturbing - in a good way, of course. At the same time, it brings up very different issues than does 1984. Both books focus on the human condition, on conditioning, on what happens to society when the human condition is created. Yet Brave New World has a very human "Big Brother" figure, adding an interesting dimension of awareness to the story. We see the story from his eyes as well; he tells us what is to be gained and lost by creating the perfect society.

Huxley has indeed created the perfect society. His concern lies with the individual: what happens to him or her when society reaches perfection?

This book is awesome. I read it for a book discussion group and talking about it with others made it so much fun. I had read this book four times, and I am ready to let someone else experience this great book!!!!!

I read this book in English class and kept it afterwards because I enjoyed it so much. A fantastic look at a dystopia.

This is one of those books everyone should read. Amazing.

Interesting take on "the world of tomorrow."

Required reading. A look at our future that is becoming more and more accurate as time goes on.

This was a fantastic book. It's set in the future and examines the issue of how much control a governmet should be allowed to have. A quick read!

Classic!

I did not like this book at all. Put it back on PBS as soon as I was done. It was negative, depressing, and irritating to think that the world could come to that. It could, but I'd rather think about good things. :)

A book unlike any you have ever read before, circa 1932, this is a modern printing.

Not much to say here. It's a classic sci-fi book. A must-read for any sci-fi fan. It's actually scary when you read it, consider when it was written, and considering everything thing going on today...

Amazing book

Amazing book, everyone should read this.

Read for school. This book honestly bored me to tears. But if you liked 1984, you'll like this.

It really makes you think.

I wasn't a huge fan of this book, but my husband absolutely loved it!

Huxley new that people would one day want a new drug.

This is one book that I had to read for school that I actually enjoyed.

"A fantasy of the future that sheds a blazing critical light on the present - considered to be Aldous Huxley's most enduring masterpiece."
-From back cover

This work of art is an utterly amazing read. Huxley is the man!

This is a Classic!