Wednesday 26 January 2011

Classic Novel - Brave New World

Another classic novel I have read a few times. This classic novel is somewhat similar to 1984, setting the scene immediately to a sort of brainwashed and inhumane society, due to the cause of futurism. This is also a definite must read.

"My dear young friend," said Mustapha Mond, "civilization has absolutely no need of nobility or heroism. These things are symptoms of political inefficiency. In a properly organized society like ours, nobody has any opportunities for being noble or heroic. Conditions have got to be thoroughly unstable before the occasion can arise. Where there are wars, where there are divided allegiances, where there are temptations to be resisted, objects of love to be fought for or defended–there, obviously, nobility and heroism have some sense. But there aren't any wars nowadays. The greatest care is taken to prevent you from loving any one too much. There's no such thing as a divided allegiance; you're so conditioned that you can't help doing what you ought to do. And what you ought to do is on the whole so pleasant, so many of the natural impulses are allowed free play, that there really aren't any temptations to resist. And if ever, by some unlucky chance, anything unpleasant should somehow happen, why, there's always soma to give you a holiday from the facts. And there's always soma to calm your anger, to reconcile you to your enemies, to make you patient and long-suffering. In the past you could only accomplish these things by making a great effort and after years of hard moral training. Now, you swallow two or three half-gramme tablets, and there you are. Anybody can be virtuous now. You can carry at least half your morality about in a bottle. Christianity without tears–that's what soma is."

Modern Library ranked this classic novel a staggering 5th in its list of the 100 best English-Language novels of the 20th century, truely mirroring the brilliance of this peice of classic literature. A recommend for all!

27 comments:

  1. I seem to remember that Huxley has a couple of well regarded novels, I'll have to give this one a read.

    I love books based on dystopian futures, and 1984 was an excellent read, so I might have to check this out.

    Excellent recommend, as always :)

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  2. Well if this is anywhere near as good as 1984 I'm going to check it out.

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  3. This one sounds pretty interesting. I've heard about it, but up until now the only Brave New World that I have cared about is the Iron Maiden album.

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  4. this is one of my favorite novels, and is going to come true, i love how they talk about soma, like modern day ecstacy

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  5. This is definitely on my short list of favorite books ever. Have you read the Doors of Perception?

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  6. i think i will borrow this book :) thanks

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  7. 1984 is way more popular than this one, but in my opinion, Brave New World is a much better book.

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  8. This is an awesome book and I liked the follow up to it as well

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  9. I'm planning to read this someday. It has been already recommended to me by several friends.

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  10. this looks very interesting, i'll look it up

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  11. After reading 1984, I found the theory of a future where human society was nothing more than a brainwashed inhumane society very interesting. I'll have to check out this book.

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  12. Wow awesome post! I'm currently reading this right now for my English class. What do you think about the Huxley's point of view and Orwell's point of view? Which one do you agree with?

    Definitely following.


    juiceishere.blogspot.com

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  13. I'm also reading this in my English class! Great post. Can't wait for more. Good luck! Following.
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  14. love this blog!

    supporting xx

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  15. I have yet to finish this book, You best bet that I aim to finish it within the month of February!

    Supporting :D

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  16. i think perhaps i should read this novel

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  17. I've read 1984 and Brave New World at least 4 times each. While they're great, it saddens me that you have not mentioned Zamyatin's We yet.

    Anyhoo, keep up the good work.

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  18. I've read 1984 and Zamyatin's We, but I've never read Brave New World. Both classes I had on the other books referenced BNW, though, I should really read it soon...

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  19. Read this last year for school, loved it. I'll get around to reading 1984 eventually.

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  20. Brave New World and 1984 are the two extremes.
    BNW numbs while 1984 hammers.

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  21. I've been meaning to read this since 1984 is one of my favorites. Maybe I'll start that today.

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  22. brave new world is one of the best books i ahve ever written and really opened up my eyes to the awesme the world could be.. i wish it was like that. soma FTW

    - micro economics and market systems

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  23. Read this and I loved it. Books like BNW, Slaughterhouse V or Fahrenheit 451 are always at or near the top of my list. Following for more dystopias and other good reads.

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  24. I loved this book, I even enjoyed the movie.

    Great review

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