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A review by arellareads
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-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
3.25
I knew this was a classic, but I had no idea what the story was about. “A Clockwork Orange” reveals an extremely disturbing dystopian, where the teenage narrator and his gang go around at night thieving, burglarizing, brutalizing, and raping. The violence only continues from there, as the book poses questions surrounding corruption, good and evil, freedom, and morality.
While I think the story is interesting from an educational standpoint, I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. The plot moves slowly and all the SA and violence-against-women is pretty extreme.
Still, I give Burgess points for style. He created a made-up vocabulary called “Nadsat,” which is used by the narrator and other teenage delinquents throughout the book, separating them from tyrannical society. As someone who loves linguistics, I found the dialogue really creative (and honestly the only reason I kept reading).
While I think the story is interesting from an educational standpoint, I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. The plot moves slowly and all the SA and violence-against-women is pretty extreme.
Still, I give Burgess points for style. He created a made-up vocabulary called “Nadsat,” which is used by the narrator and other teenage delinquents throughout the book, separating them from tyrannical society. As someone who loves linguistics, I found the dialogue really creative (and honestly the only reason I kept reading).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence