Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - A Clockwork Orange

Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

A Clockwork Orange by Andrew Biswell, Anthony Burgess, Martin Amis

19 reviews

pixelited's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Despite being quite graphic and somewhat normalizing horrendous acts of violence, the message of this story is clear and insightful. The copy I read included a foreword by the author, which I found very interesting. I didn’t know that the last chapter was excluded during its first publication in the United States and—of course—the book would have taken on a completely different meaning if I had not had the chance to read the final intended chapter. This last chapter is what really brings meaning to this work and sort of ties it in a pretty bow while still acknowledging human tendencies towards violence.

Additionally, while the language was at first disorienting, you’re able to get a grasp on how the words are used quickly. I find this aspect of the book particularly interesting, being part of a younger generation with all sorts of slang, and it makes me wonder how the slang I use today may become a “nadsat” language in other years. I also enjoyed the stark difference when characters speak in proper English and how that plays into the story as well.

Overall, while the nature of the book is disturbing and upsetting, I am glad to have read it and gotten such a perspective on human nature and change.

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mashapopeskovic's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

this may be common knowledge - and it’s mentioned briefly in the book itself - but so many slang terms in this book resemble slavic vocabulary - to read this in english as someone whose native language is indeed slavic (serbian) was absolutely absurd?

for example:
(in the book = serbian = english)
zvook = zvuk = sound
prestoopnik = prestupnik = one who disobeys [laws]
droog = drug = friend
litso = lice = face
rooker = ruka = arm
gulliver = glava = head
goloss = glas = voice
malenky = malo = a little
govoreeting = govoriti = to speak
NOGA = NOGA = LEG

and many many more examples -truly fascinating stuff that was

otherwise what has to be happening in one’s mind to write such a book?

as for content warnings - literally anything you could think of, it’s only 140 pages but my god is it a dark book.

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floppi23's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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swordfishtrombone's review against another edition

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4.0

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selimhannah's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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pepperpagan's review

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challenging dark reflective tense fast-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

5.0

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samchase112's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-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

4.0

Quick thoughts:
1. I highly recommend the audiobook version, as the narrator is a standout and certainly made the wacky language of the mc more understandable.
2. The basic message, I thought, was a bit too out-front and obvious, although I suppose that's how dystopians generally are.
3. I think I personally prefer it sans the 21st section, but will think on it.
4. Super excited to watch Kubrick's film to see the whole thing come to life!

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