Clockwork Orange

ALL TIME FAVORITE, VERY IMPRESSIVE

This book goes after some truly weighty subjects in a short time frame. Burgess tells the story of his narrator, Alex, who is a clearly intelligent young man who has focused his youthful talents on setting out each night to terrorize the innocent citizens of a futuristic London.
The book is famous for Burgess' heavy use of a made-up slang that a committed reader will pick up quickly using context clues. It actually serves to focus your attention on the book rather than as a distraction. Further, Burgess uses the slang to differentiate groups of characters within the book and, in some of the book's most interesting moments, one side of a character from another side within himself. The dichotomies created are very clear without being ham-fisted. Very well done.
Burgess really creates a gritty, enveloping sense of place and mood as Alex and his pals meander through the city. As the reader, you simultaneously feel their sense of power (empty though it may be) and the victim's sense of fear and helplessness. Another great exploration of the duality of character within each of us, and yet this is still just a warm up for the main event!
The story hits its peak once Alex is sold out by his pals and captured by the police (who aren't really good guys). Alex volunteers/is chosen for a new procedure which will "cure" him of his evil tendencies. The scenes of brainwashing that follow are wonderfully crafted and this whole segment of the book artfully asks whether it is better to have a choice between good and evil when only a portion of us will choose good, or whether it is better for all of us to be good even at the cost of our free will. It's a tremendous look at freedom vs. authoritarianism in all its forms.
As Alex is released back into the world, we see the flip side of his original self, someone incapable of any form of evil. The string of events that follows brings up as many penetrating questions for the reader as any other portion of the book. Alex finishes (if you get a book with the 21st chapter - make sure you do) slightly older, with more perspective on his situation.
A book about the two sides, we all have within us and the freedom some of us have, and some of us lack to let the two sides out. Highly recommended, you can see why this one has stood the test of time.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A Clockwork Orange

The reason I started reading this was because someone gave me a shirt with Stewie from Family Guy dressed as Alex, not know that was who he was potraying. Anyway, one of my teachers recognized it and told me I shouldn't read the book or watch the movie because of it's content. I didn't listen- I was too intreged- and went out and got the book. I am so glad I did what I did. I read it cover to cover, then read it again. I was so shocked at the boldness and brilliance of a simple novel- scratch that, it's not simple at all. It is riviting. I am still only a child- a teenager, if you will- and I have to say this is probably going to be one of my all time favorite books. The use of the slang, Nadsat, is quite clever and even catchy. After reading it, I spoke in mild Nadsat for quite a while- I still am. Anyway, this is a near perfect novel. I absolutly love it. It is even shocking. A warning, though- this is not a book for the faint at heart. If you can't take some graphic sence and brutal honesty without a trace of shame to be told (sometimes), I will not suggest you partake in this literary adventure. For everyone else, read the book!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

A Clockwork Orange, An Awesome Read

A book potent with unchecked violence, A Clockwork Orange addresses the need of the presence of evil in order for good to exist. Alex, the epitome of such malevolence, is a barbaric character that captures the essence of a criminal's need to instill fear and harm in others. As the story unfolds, Alex's moral choice is ripped away via classical conditioning: music, in which he once found a twisted pleasure, causes him physical pain instead, preventing him from unleashing any more harm on his fellow human beings. Despite his apparent 'treatment', Alex is still thrust into malignant situations. Written by a prominent Catholic, the book depicts an absence of religion and morals in a future society. By doing so, Anthony Burgess directly answers a question asked by many: if a god exists, why does he permit the world to live in such an evil state? He insists that man needs to have the choice of doing something right in order for it to be done in pure righteousness. Religious views aside, many people would be able to get into reading this book. The language is unlike any other written before it, as the criminal youth speak in a fictional dialogue that depicts their unrefined, savage nature. The manner in which life is governed in the book, whether bullied by Alex and his 'droogs' or the government's unethical rehabilitation of criminals, raises questions about the treatment of others. Despite the sometimes-disturbing images in this book, I definitely recommend this book to those who wish to read in order to gain something. A Clockwork Orange has much to offer.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A wild ride through morality.

I have currently started a list of books that I want to read before I die. The list includes many classics as well as books that I have read or am fond of reading. When I picked this book up and read the introduction by Mr. Bugess, I was immediately sucked in by his speech on morality. After reading this book, I can say nothing but wow. Honestly, I am not sure if I have ever read a book like A Clockwork Orange. It stretches the mind and opens one's eyes to the luxuries of free will. Definately a must read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Love it

I read this book my senior year of high school, almost two years ago. I read it for a project on banned books. Honestly, this book should not be banned anywhere. This is an amazing book. I read it over and over and over. I absolutely love this book. It didn't take me long to figure out the slang. This book is too good to not read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Violent Looney Tones (A Timeless Classic)

From it's first publishing in 1962 to now, A Clockwork Orange has become one of the most infamous satirical novels to emerge from Twentieth Century literature. From it's violent context, moral ambiguity, and it's slang; the novel was bound to be misunderstood especially due to it's timely publication. The novel, in likes of Eugene Zamiatin's We and Orwell's 1984, sets a very dystopian look of the future. The novel's protagonist/antihero is Alex, the leader of a gang of four "droogies". At night the gang sets out doing a number of amoral activities that would make most eyes pop if it weren't for the crude satirical humor that Burgess peppers the text with. The book also contains quite a bit of sly commentary on public institutions and those that abide by and/or oppose it. The doctors supposedly "curing" Alex, Alex's parents, and etc. all seem to follow a fine line of orthodoxy without much contemplation. Much like Kafka, Burgess outlines the absurdity of hollow traditional values and there negative affects. The main message of the story mostly lies on Alex. In that although Alex actions reflect violence and sexual debauchery, he seems to be the only one to make a involved moral decision in his life. Not one based off religion, political associations, or money, but because he likes it. While any of his decision are hard to relate to, he remains to be the freest man in the story. Anthony Burgess may have enjoyed writing his other novels, but A Clockwork Orange is definitely his most effective and critically-acclaimed work. Also Another Note: The last chapter was omitted until 1986, long after the Kubrick film was released.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing Novel!

In perhaps his most well-known work, Anthony Burgess portrays a dystopian future on the verge of totalitarianism, where a new breed of ultra-violent youth rules the night. The novel focuses on Alex, a fifteen-year-old, who could loosely be described as a gang leader. He and his friends revel in regular acts of extreme violence and general depravity, however, this seems to be the rule rather than the exception in this highly chaotic society. The novel follows his journey through the unforgiving and twisted penal system of this futuristic culture.

The strengths of the novel lie in its ability to convey a highly relevant dilemma in what at first seems to be an absurd situation. The eternal question of what it means to be human, and what it means to be good, is explored here through means of deprivation of free will. Being presented with two unsatisfying options, the reader is left torn between who to support and who to condemn, a victim of a callous and vicious system who is himself something of a murderous sociopath, or the society that suffers from his crimes but is ultimately willing to deprive him and others of all that makes them human. This juxtaposition between the good of society and the good of the individual, the mechanic and the organic, the clockwork orange in itself, is a discourse that has existed in the world for eons and remains relevant to this day.

In that vein, one may find that one of the few weaknesses found in the text is accessibility. The Nadsat slang used throughout the narration is a highly interesting blend of Cockney slang and Russian-based words. Although it is essential to the overall feel and effectiveness of the text, as well as the not-so-subtle commentary about communism, it limits the works potential on the international stage. An English-speaking reader is likely to highly enjoy the word play and may even find humor in the caricature of the rift between adults and teenagers illustrated by the use of slang, and a multilingual reader would probably enjoy it even more, however someone who does not understand the nuances of English or is a new speaker would find the text near incomprehensible. Furthermore, it cannot be effectively translated without losing the majority of its impact and meaning, which is unfortunate due to the universal nature of its themes.

Overall, it is an excellent novel that I would highly recommend to just about everyone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I recommend it, but...

Really unique and interesting, but if you can't handle violence, this is not for you.
The use of Russian slang was very cool, because I know Russian, and it didn't make it more difficult to read, but I don't know how others would feel about having to infer words from context clues.
Overall, I'm glad I read it.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

viddy this my droogs

A great novel, filled with an unusual language based on russian slang (be ready to use your context clues) A clockwork orange begs the question if good is not a moral choice, then is it actually good, or just as bad as actually being evil? You take a dive into the mind of a young hoodlum, Alex who leads a gang of misbehaving droogs. Alex finds little in life he loves and destroys other peoples lives. A major theme in this book is music. Beethoven's 9th symphony is the actual structure of this book. read the chorus of the ninth before you read the book, it is very interesting. also, read the introduction, many people don't, but you will get a lot more out of the book. Also, the book is very different than the movie. overall, this book is a good read. lots of people find it disturbing, and at points it is, but stomach past it and look at the underlying message of freewill and moral choices.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

What an Experience

What an interesting experience it was to read this novel! When I first picked up A Clockwork Orange, I had already heard a few things about it. First, that the book contains graphic scenes and violence. And second, that the language in the novel is difficult to get used to. Both are true and both are crucial to the merit of the novel as a whole.

With respect to the violence of the main character and his "droogs," I found meaning for these actions in the curiosity towards their motives that I subsequently developed. Why are the characters so incessant in committing acts of violence? Do they openly flout the moral codes of society or are they unaware that such a moral code exists? How has society come to be this way? These unanswered questions are what catapult you through the pages as you continue to listen to Alex, your "friend and humble narrator," continue with his story.

As far as the language in concerned, do not allow yourself to be intimidated by the first page. Consider it a puzzle to be solved with the surrounding contexts and through you own perception. I must warn you of becoming frustrated with not knowing the meaning to all the slang terms spoken in the novel. Do NOT merely give up and go searching on the internet for the slang dictionary as you would not go searching for the answer key to a crossword puzzle after you encounter a question that you do not know. Instead, persevere so that ultimately the novel holds both meaning and pleasure in solving the puzzle.

Reading this novel is like immersing yourself into a whole new world. Learn as you go and enjoy your discoveries as you finally uncover the underlying moral truths hidden in both the title, A Clockwork Orange, and the story itself. All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader that is up for the challenge.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

crazy book

this was a crazzzyy book>> the imagery and the vivid and disturbing descriptions of these morally off fellows is pretty strong. I liked it alot though because it casts you into what would be a society at the point of no ethics or morals>>>> you know how most people find it disturbing when the strong prey on the weak??? well this is that at its worst extent... great book for discussions because it questions if many of the punishments we give those who are clearly deserving of them are morally right?? it basically takes the evil heartless one and flips the tables....and then you see it and feel it all over again all that feeling sorry but for the one who acted savagely on a poor victim. its a great read however, its highly interactive with the reader.... you are reading from a perspective of a totally different age of society and time cast into the future into a group of young punks with different slang that you hav never heard of>>you learn to "hang" with them and their slang as you progress......

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Utterly Brilliant

The entire book was stunning. All the literary elements flow to create a clear, timeless picture of a chaotic future. It is parable of free will that will have you thinking, questioning, and empathizing with it's protagnist (Alex).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Look into the Future

This novel is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. Alex, the sociopath, is a case study into gang members today. And his treatment by the government a metaphor for how the government addresses crime, treating the effect and not he cause. If you haven't read this book, you should. It is an eye-opener.

Great Dystopian Novel

One of the best novels I have read in year.

A Classic, must read

I have read A Clockwork Orange a number of times. It is a visceral, haunting read. I think this book should be a part of every collection. This is such a classic book of a troubled world, that very much echoes our own.

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0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Best Book in the World

Anthony Burgess is such a wonderful author who not only wrote this book, but "Tremor of Intent" and "Honey for the Bears" as well.

The usual equation for a great book is this:

Introduction to Setting and Characters + Plot + Moral / Something about Society that the reader hadn't really paid much attention to = Great Book

However, Burgess isn't a cookie-cutter author. This book and all of it's horror and bluntness, allows THE READER to figure out THEIR OWN moral compass. I think those are the best written kind of books, ones that don't preach to you but make YOU think of what you believe in and what kind of person that makes you.

Everyone simply HAS to read this book.

Uber Epic Book

A Clockwork Orange is a story of a fifteen year old man, who¿s actions are violent and vicious until he is caught in the act of a felony and arrested. He is changed by undergoing unreal processes that I will not mention because you should read this unforgettable novel. He reverts afterwards due to some events that again you will have to read to find out.
The author¿s purpose for writing this novel was to show how quickly someone can change and to what extent someone will go to change. He states in the introduction that this is not one of his more favorite books and yet somehow it has not gone out of print yet some of his more favored books that he has written have. I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy the strange and terrifying tales that come from classic books
This unforgettable tale was published in England in 1962 and then went on to Russia, Germany, England, France, Spain, an in the U.S.A. The full book was just recently published in America which contains the controversial 21st chapter. It combines suspense, terror, and a sort of futuristic feeling to create somewhat of a genera in itself. When you read it you probably will not be capable of setting it down. The central character ¿Alex- Is a leader in a way and I being so he has the characteristics of one. When his ¿Droogs¿ are being overly confident and feel the need to change the way things run, or if they become overly rude, he puts them in their place. For example in one situation his dim witted droog who is ironically labeled ¿Dim¿ disrespected a certain classical song, Alex wacked him with his cane- his weapon of choice. So with this information said, this book is great for any fan on strange, horror, and futuristic stories. Again this is a book of a boy who lives a violent life who evolves into a mature man and then reverts back.

Rcommended

A Clockwork Orange
I had mixed feeling about this book. Seeing the film before reading the novel, I had an idea of what I was getting myself into. But the book was a lot more detailed and explicit then I remembered from the film. Some pretty brutal and nasty scenes where left out of the film for obvious reasons. This was the reason I disliked the book, it took my mind to places I didn¿t want to go. It took me into to the mind of a sick a demented character, and author. But as I got used to the sick and disturbing visuals this book described, it got easier to read without crenching.
Another part of the book that I found hard to get used to was the slang he used. I had to keep on turning to my ¿Word Guide to A Clockwork Orange¿ everytime I came across a word I didn¿t know, and there was a lot of them. It got easier as I read on, because I was getting to know some of the vocabular and was able to fill in the blanks when I came across foreign words. So without the guide it can be a difficult read, unless you are fluent in Russian or Slavic slang, and Burgessian.
As I got deeper in the book I realized why this work was so popular. I could see the artfulness in his writing, using controversial subject matter to get a specific point across. Taking the reader into a place that some of us forget about, a place of violence and madness where some think that it¿s okay. And how through disciplinary techniques some lose the freedom to choose and are forced to change. But with time, we all grow up and make the right decision to do so.
The questional material in the book mixed with the underlining, but somewhat hidden message, it has, leaves my gladly sick that I have read it.

Brilliant!

My favorite book of all time. A wicked tale about the duality of man with some social commentary and just enough dark humor to make this one a classic for the ages. If you read one book this year, make it this one.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.