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rachelbaack's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Summary: Fourteen-year-old Harrison Bergeron lives in a world where all people have been made as equal as the powers that be know how to make them: intelligent people wear earpieces that emit though-interrupting noises, beautiful people wear masks to obscure their faces, strong people wear heavy weights to make movement just as difficult for them as it is for everyone else. Unfortunately for Harrison, he is a little to exceptional to be subdued.
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence and Murder
lynnofseptember's review against another edition
1.0
reductive, lazy, and to me, a weapon in the hands of the simpleminded republican.
missdziak's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.0
cozycomfy's review against another edition
3.0
*Class Read*
Was interesting and an easy read but not very thought provoking in my opinion. It’s clear that this short story holds some anti-communist views which is not new or or mind blowing considering that it was written during the Cold War.
Was interesting and an easy read but not very thought provoking in my opinion. It’s clear that this short story holds some anti-communist views which is not new or or mind blowing considering that it was written during the Cold War.
jazmin's review against another edition
4.0
"’I am the Emperor!’ cried Harrison. ‘Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!’ He stamped his foot and the studio shook."
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
⇢Thoughts
I think this story becomes more disturbing the more times you read it. This is my third read of Harrison Bergeron, and its meaning has certainly changed for me. Maybe it’s because it’s easier to understand the less obvious messages as you grow older?
This story is incredibly interesting, and has so many meanings and interpretations that your head will be spinning trying to figure them all out. I love the commentary on individuality and the difference between equality and equity. And despite being named after Harrison, I think that his parents George and Hazel stick out as the characters that are the most fun to analyse. I wish there was more of an ending, because I’d love to know what happens to the characters!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
my carrd ❦
BOOKISH PRODUCTS: USE MY CODE JAZ10 ❦
BOOKMARKS, BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK ETC: USE MY CODE JAZ10 ❦
BOOKMARKS AND CANDLES: USE MY CODE JAZ10 ❦
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
3.0
It is the year 2081. Because of Amendments 211, 212, and 213 to the Constitution, every American is fully equal, meaning that no one is stupider, uglier, weaker, or slower than anyone else. The Handicapper General and a team of agents ensure that the laws of equality are enforced.
Harrison Bergeron is one of four short stories we are reading for book club this month. I'm not a huge fan of short stories because they usually seem to end right as the story is starting to get good. The reason for this is probably because they are in general snippets of something much larger. Thus they end feeling unfinished. This story actually had an ending that felt finished, but it was a very unsatisfactory ending for me. The solution to the "problem" of Harrison Bergeron was too easily executed, and it was over all too soon. It did pack a punch in a 1984 kind of way. This is a world that celebrates mediocrity. The methods that were used to "make everyone equal" were interesting and somewhat silly. Just picturing Harrison in that getup was pretty humorous. The cover image for this story is pretty spot on.
Overall I liked things about this story even though I didn't care for the ending, and the message was a good one. Can people ever truly be completely equal and what does equal really mean?
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Harrison Bergeron is one of four short stories we are reading for book club this month. I'm not a huge fan of short stories because they usually seem to end right as the story is starting to get good. The reason for this is probably because they are in general snippets of something much larger. Thus they end feeling unfinished. This story actually had an ending that felt finished, but it was a very unsatisfactory ending for me. The solution to the "problem" of Harrison Bergeron was too easily executed
Spoiler
no pun intended thereOverall I liked things about this story even though I didn't care for the ending, and the message was a good one. Can people ever truly be completely equal and what does equal really mean?
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
megatron1560's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mrscaew's review against another edition
4.0
A powerful short story. Important to remember our own agency in prevailing above the shackles of mortal life.