Reviews

Brave New World (Level 6 RLA Longman Reader) by Aldous Huxley

flakeyreader123's review against another edition

challenging dark

3.0

the_sunken_library's review against another edition

3.0

Weird. Readable but weird. I don't know how I feel about this book apart from the fact that it confirmed human beings are fundamentally flawed. Also, the ending felt sudden and a bit odd. Interesting philosophical debates though.

harrythorpe's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rodor2017's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

gillianjenkinscopeland's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-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

3.5

danielrenediaz's review against another edition

dark

3.75

tassles's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

Usually a fan of a dystopian novel but this was so painfully boring to read. The world building fell short, 
maybe I’m just lacking imagination, but I found it quite hard to picture what was going on clearly. Interesting concept no doubt, and could be the age of the book that made it feel so lengthy and a real chore to read. 

ed_moore's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I reread Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ as I had forgotten much of the story and felt my initial rating of three stars a few years ago seemed too low for as I remember it, though I don’t think I was overly far off. Huxley depicts a ‘Utopian’ society where the old literature and religion has been abandoned to encourage consumerism of the new, all children are born in labs and genetically conditioned to fit a class and preached rhymes to indoctrinate them. This in audio-book form was honestly kind pf hypnotic. This loss of free will where society is convinced they are completely happy illustrates a seeming Utopia whereas upon analysis of what has been lost, especially when fronted with the opinions of the ‘savage’ John who has lived outside of this society, it becomes more dystopian. 

The diversion of to the ’Savage Reservation’ is where I believe Huxley falls short in a case of brilliant concept with not perfect execution, not that such is done awfully at all but I think it could have been bettered with shifted focuses. Though apart of the plot and I feel it doesn’t reflect on the author, the depiction of the Native American-esque tribes as ‘savages’ is clearly problematic and John’s alienation which isn’t particularly criticised or condemned is example of such. I also found the character of Linda extremely frustrating and disliked scenes around her, I guess this was frustration at her indoctrinated state despite existing among an untouched community though so should really blame the dystopian ‘brave new world’ which in that perspective Huxley is successful in conveying his points. On the other hand, the ideas surrounding indoctrination of youth and human conditioning were really interesting and if more focus was placed on this and the society built around it rather than the ‘savage’ the book would’ve equalled what I love about dystopians. 

All in all however, my first read of ‘Brave New World’ was judged to harshly and on reassessment I have increased it a little from the initial three stars. 

chez_abaa's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 ⭐️
I enjoyed the ideas and the fantasy behind them. However, either I came across a horribly translated version or «Brave New World» was a true mess sometimes.
Also I didn’t enjoy the chapter of the conversation between John and Mond. It sounded the usual, cliché, boring and repetitive lecture-like ending.
It was nice but I liked «1984» much more.

nicknicknick's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0