It is my opinion that Brave New World is one of the most profound and enlightening books of this century. Through its dystopic vision of the future this book helps to shine a microscope on our culture, both where it is, and where it is going.
Camden Alexander, from Curled Up with a Good Book, brings us this short but still very good review of the classic Brave New World:
Brave New World is as startling today as the day it was written because most of what Huxley postulated upon has happened to some degree or another.
We are given a glimpse into our future if we continue on the path we are currently on. There will be a drug that makes it all okay – in the book it is called soma; in real life, take your pick from Prozac, Zoloft. John the Savage commits suicide soon after taking soma, guilt and despair born of serotonin depletion. The drug is said to be better than (promiscuous) sex – the only sex brave new worlders practice. However, a regimen of soma does not deliver anything sublime or life-enriching. It is suggested that the price of universal happiness will be the sacrifice of the most hallowed shibboleths of our culture: “motherhood”, “home”, “family”, “freedom”, even “love”. In BNW, happiness derives from consuming mass-produced goods, sports such as Obstacle Golf and Centrifugal Bumble-puppy, promiscuous sex, and” the feelies.”
The novel is seamlessly written with a tight plot that never wavers. The original ideas and the way they are expressed remain fresh today. The characters make you believe in what they are going through.
If you like science fiction you must read Brave New World and Brave New World Revisited. You will never forgive yourself if you do not.
If you wish to buy Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, check out the latest prices for either the paperback or hardcover version.
