Scan barcode
edskudder's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
2.0
weaponizedfun's review against another edition
5.0
This one still holds up as classic science fiction for me.
949_peewee's review against another edition
3.0
Note from when I reread in 2003--listened to audio version, well narrated, but I found the text stridently dated. No notes on 2015 reading.
keatonsbooks's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hongraceunhae's review against another edition
5.0
This take on the future of mankind first published in 1932 is as creative as it is haunting. At its core depicting the struggle between comfortable happiness and beautiful truth, the book paints a picture of a world that has chosen the former. Huxley creates a society built on "infantile contentment," sacrificing art, religion, science, and liberty in exchange for stability, efficiency, and "happiness."
"God isn't compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness."
This line along with many other themes in the book make me feel unsettled, as it is difficult for me to definitively build a case for why this fantastical society should not be (despite my own intuition). However, I stand by the Savage in claiming the "right to be unhappy" as this is my way of claiming the right to love.
"In spite of their sadness--because of it, even; for their sadness was the symptom of their love for one another--the three young men were happy."
"God isn't compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness."
This line along with many other themes in the book make me feel unsettled, as it is difficult for me to definitively build a case for why this fantastical society should not be (despite my own intuition). However, I stand by the Savage in claiming the "right to be unhappy" as this is my way of claiming the right to love.
"In spite of their sadness--because of it, even; for their sadness was the symptom of their love for one another--the three young men were happy."
kendra_leeann's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lit_with_linds's review against another edition
2.0
I get why this was an important book when it came out, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I prefer 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 if I want a classic dystopian novel.
precki's review against another edition
3.0
This book was probably an amazing insight seventy years ago. Society has changed so much since it was written, and there have been so much more research done into how people work that it doesn't hit as hard now.
biancachacamp's review against another edition
5.0
First read this in high school around 2004/2005. Every time I've read it I've learned something new. Would definitely recommend.
jmsci2's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-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
2.0