bullwinklemoose's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kareninoz_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
redcephei's review against another edition
4.5
I didn't like it at first. The world building seemed confusing, the characters reacted to their environment unbelievably and the message was messy. But I liked it more towards the end particularly the chapter where I like how it made me defend the flaws of our world and their role in upholding truth and beauty. I like the dissection on prioritising happiness pleasantness and stability above all else and questioning what is worth sacrificing to attain that.
Spoiler
the Savage, Bernard and Helmholtz meet the Controller, Mustapha Mond.marave's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't like Huxley's writing style, it didn't draw me in enough to get interested the book. Once John the savage comes into the story the book gets better. I was also really disappointed with the ending :(
mariana_garc's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
leahreadsstuff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Grimly aesthetic and utterly absorbing. What an incredible opening: chilling, surprising, and perfectly establishes the setting without wasting exposition. The writing style is ruthless and cutting, and by the end of chapter one I couldn’t look away. It only got better from there.
I confess I didn’t know anything about this book before I read it, and I’m glad for it. I was completely riveted by what I was reading. One of the most horrifyingly prescient and effective pieces of science fiction I’ve ever read. I can see some of what Huxley describes in our modern age, which is incredible given that this book was written in 1932.
The philosophical discussion toward the end of the book is breathtaking, and the finale made me actually gasp. This deserves its standing as one of the best novels ever written.
christianscarlett's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyable and somewhat enlightening read. If you're looking for something you can draw some meaning from but also not feel as if it's a political preach speech, here you go. Good story and plot, while also managing to put forth interesting insight and speculation on what society could look like if certain practices continue.