Reviews

Brave New World and Brave New World Revisited by Aldous Huxley

dlhryan's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

There were somethings that were interesting and I see why it's a classic like 1984. The beginning was interesting explaining the caste system and how it's generated and people sorted. I was confused about the obsession with Freudian psychology, but I think it was written in the 30s while Freud's theory was the hottest new idea of the time.

Like 1984, many dystopian fiction take inspiration from this narrative. Since I've read a lot of contemporary dystopian fiction thanks to my utopian science fiction class during my undergrad years this wasn't anymore interesting then those, probably thanks to that class. I think I would've enjoyed it more had I read it before all those contemporaries. 

sarahbeaks's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

shonberg's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

nibeths's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

3.75

snow_on_top's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

creambrunette's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

andreeapantea01's review against another edition

4.0

4.5⭐

kmthomas06's review against another edition

4.0

I read this back in high school though it hadn't stayed with me like 1984 or The Handmaid's Tale so I really enjoyed this re-read and the bonus of reading Revisited for the first time. Huxley isn't an easy author (there is an entire chapter of three conversations going on at the same time and it's not always easy to figure out who is speaking and which conversation the sentence belongs too) however, the tale he's telling is still one we need to read and think on. At times, it's rather scarily relevant. Revisited was a very interesting piece as Huxley himself looked back on Brave New World 20ish years after its publication. His discussions around media and how those in power can wield it and what he could have easily called "fake news" if he'd thought of the phrase, are particularly apt these days.

keiper7's review against another edition

dark funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mastersal's review against another edition

5.0

I remember when I first read this book I must have been in my early teens and for the life of my could not understand what the issue was with people. The society portrayed by Huxley seemed to work - people where happy and I was conflicted. Following In Utilitarian thought I figured that that was what mattered. I did have sympathy at the loss of reading but the sci fi story is what sold me and the sheer narrative plot. In rereading this book and the accompanying Essay more than a decade later I was horrified. I finally got the tragedy and what Huxley was admonishing against. Truly a terrible vision wrapped in a great novel. Unfortunately I think we have lost the battle. Sorry Mr Huxley - we have succumbed.