As I’m a huge technology geek and love thinking about social order and progress, I am going through a science fiction phase (as you could probably tell from my first #FridayBookShare on H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine).
Brave New World
In my opinion, Aldous Huxley takes his time setting up this dystopian world but it all starts to fall together by Chapter IV. I strongly recommend that you stick with the first couple of chapters, otherwise the science and society might not make much sense!
First line of the book
A squat grey building of only thirty-four storeys.
Recruit fans by adding the book blurb
Not so far into the future, the world has become a single supranational state, ruled by a council of World Controllers. Consumerism has replaced religion, science has eliminated illness and ageing; the happiness of all is ensured by genetic engineering, brainwashing, recreational sex and tranquillizing drugs. But Bernard Marx feels alienated from a society in which ‘everybody belongs to everybody else’ and begins to show alarming signs of individualism. When he plucks a Shakespeare-reading ‘Savage’ from a South American reservation and brings him back to London, two incompatible views of the world come into conflict, with dramatic results.
First published in 1932, Huxley’s bleak dystopian novel explores the very real dangers of social and technological progress, questions the nature of freedom and uncovers the dark side of mankind’s seemingly insatiable appetite for amusement.
Introduce the main character using only three words
There are 3 main characters, I’d say, but I’ll just describe the most obvious one:
Bernard Marx – self-conscious introverted outsider
Delightful design
Audience appeal
I would say this is for the avid fans of dystopian worlds and people who are interested in social progress and science’s role in society. It requires a bit of patience to read, so I would recommend The Time Machine instead if you’re looking for a lighter read!
Your favourite line/scene
The problem was to find an economically sounder reason for consuming transport than a mere affection for primroses and landscapes. It was duly found.
‘We condition the masses to hate the country,’ concluded the Director. ‘But simultaneously we condition them to love all country sports.’
You can buy Huxley’s Brave New World here on Amazon UK.
You’re very welcome to join in the #FridayBookShare! The rules are in my first one.
Btw I’m sorry I might be off the grid over the next week as I will be on holiday! However, I have scheduled a post on Monday so you will still get something to read. Until then!
Although this is meant to be every Friday, I will probably just post them once I’ve finished a book. What’s your favourite dystopian novel? Do you have a favourite genre? Let me know in the comments!
Daring To Jess 
Very apt timing. Blessed be
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Thank you.
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Winter solstice here. Just woke from a terrible sleep on a very small couch 😝😲
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Hahaha sounds exciting 😉
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At the room is warm. I think I have been paid this morning too. That is definitely exciting 🤣
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I read this some years ago and really enjoyed it. You gave a good review of it. Cheers!
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Yes it was definitely interesting! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Yes, the ideas are thought-provoking and universal. Just gotta get passed those first three chapters.
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Definitely, it’s worth the difficult beginning! Hopefully it’ll raise the right political questions 🙂
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A few other people have mentioned the book this week. Keep aware. Looking forward to reading more of your posts Jess. Look after yourself x
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Indeed, it’s very relevant. Thank you for your well wishes, hope everything is fine over your side 🙂
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Getting started for the day. Saw the Mummy last night. Average. Very average. The Bard has been in a spot this week. Keeping an eye on him. He had flashbacks last week. Sees a proper counselor specializing in the issue today.
I am looking forward to acupuncture tonight. Bad back
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I remember being scared about the dystopian settings that the book is based in. But love your interesting way of presenting the book. Btw, my blog title is also based on the book’s title 🙂
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Thank you, the presentation wasn’t actually my idea but I really enjoyed laying the components of the book out like this!
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Hope you continue to think about the book 😇
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I certainly do, once you read a book it never leaves you…
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Wish the bloke on the train before would have read a book. Racist passive aggression from a wheelchair. He may well have been historically accurate. It was him controlling the ambience with monotoned nursery rhymes
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Indeed, ignorance really is quite ugly.
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Some strange stuff going on outside our doors.The older I get the less I even bother trying to understand how the cowardly and inxperienced or untried can be so nasty. Never overcompensate for severe and predictable stupidity.
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For good reason – there are better things to do than stoop to the level of bigots etc.
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I like the way you say it. Full moon in a few days. Will be in Aquarius. A bit of change happening here. I saw Dunkirk the other day. Worth seeing.
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Thanks 🙂 ooh nice, I listened to the music and it’s so good so that’s an indication of a good film haha
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Have a good one Jess. Take care. Thursday beginning here. Heaps to do. Heaps to do mentally. Always progress lately. Opposition can often be a sign that you’re going well 😇☺
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0°C here this morning. Plenty of bigotry etc… out there of all political bent. Mostly it is the pursuit of self out there. Good luck today Jess.
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