stephquintal's review
2.0
Not at all what I was expecting. This utopian novel felt more like a how to guide than a story, perhaps as the antithesis to A Brave New World it was just that, a teaching of sorts. Regardless, I had a difficult time finishing this book even as the island birds yelled for attention.
soops's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
the middle really really drags but he gets there in the ending
the_viz's review
2.0
More of a philosophical treatise than a novel, Island contains some good ideas but is ultimately very boring to read. The characters are barely relevant to the content of the book, which is why it's frustrating that so many are immediately introduced at the work's onset. Additionally, Huxley's obsessions with drug use and eastern spirituality only serve to undermine this dissertation's otherwise intelligent musings on education, labor, behavior, and social order.
gvenezia's review against another edition
4.0
"One has no right to inflict one's sadness on other people. And no right, of course, to pretend that one isn't sad. One just has to accept one's grief and one's absurd attempts to be a stoic."
"One thinks one's something unique and wonderful at the center of the universe. But in fact one's merely a slight delay in the ongoing march of entropy."
"[History is] the record of what human beings have been impelled to do by their ignorance and the enormous bumptiousness that makes them canonize their ignorance as a political or religious dogma."
"One thinks one's something unique and wonderful at the center of the universe. But in fact one's merely a slight delay in the ongoing march of entropy."
"[History is] the record of what human beings have been impelled to do by their ignorance and the enormous bumptiousness that makes them canonize their ignorance as a political or religious dogma."
benjfleck's review
4.0
Island: Or, Brave New World-Lite
Aldous Huxley's follow-up to his groundbreaking hit, Brave New World, is the delightfully optimistic and intriguing Island. I had never heard of this book and after reading it, I was surprised that it wasn't more well-known. In fact, I enjoyed this one waaaay more than BNW, but that's maybe cause I still believe in some good in human beings (even though it's really hard).
The novel's structure left a lot to be desired as it felt all over the place and I really couldn't follow a coherent plot, but learning about this island was enough to keep me intrigued.
This island society of Pala seems perfect in every way. Freedom to think, group living, sex-positive, enlightenment via drugs, uplifting bird slogans, peace, happiness... it seemed like a fair, ideal society that was full of pacifists, free thinkers, and genuinely nice, good people. Why can't we have that in reality?? Unfortunately bad people from bad places want to ruin it all and take advantage of natural resources and capitalize and colonize because WE CAN'T EVER HAVE GOOD THINGS. If only...
Aldous Huxley's follow-up to his groundbreaking hit, Brave New World, is the delightfully optimistic and intriguing Island. I had never heard of this book and after reading it, I was surprised that it wasn't more well-known. In fact, I enjoyed this one waaaay more than BNW, but that's maybe cause I still believe in some good in human beings (even though it's really hard).
The novel's structure left a lot to be desired as it felt all over the place and I really couldn't follow a coherent plot, but learning about this island was enough to keep me intrigued.
This island society of Pala seems perfect in every way. Freedom to think, group living, sex-positive, enlightenment via drugs, uplifting bird slogans, peace, happiness... it seemed like a fair, ideal society that was full of pacifists, free thinkers, and genuinely nice, good people. Why can't we have that in reality?? Unfortunately bad people from bad places want to ruin it all and take advantage of natural resources and capitalize and colonize because WE CAN'T EVER HAVE GOOD THINGS. If only...
maggiegammons's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
victoiremzc's review against another edition
5.0
This book left me speechless more than once, and having now finished it I'm not sure I can do it justice by writing about it. I'd say there are two levels on which I was struck by this book: a personal level and then perhaps an intellectual level, since it made me question political orders and how societies should or shouldn't be arranged. Through the evolution of the main character as he gradually discovers Pala and the Palanese people's teachings, I was struck by the need for awareness, awareness of the self and awareness of others. That is definetely something I want to include more of in my life. On a political level, I agree and am interested in a lot of what the Palanese do, especially in terms of education. This book led me to ask myself questions I might not have before.
It's not exactly a traditional novel and is more of a long political and philosophical essay than a true story, but I really didn't mind that. Reading this book was an experience, and that is probably the point! Highly recommend :)
It's not exactly a traditional novel and is more of a long political and philosophical essay than a true story, but I really didn't mind that. Reading this book was an experience, and that is probably the point! Highly recommend :)