O Brave New World that has such people in't! (Brave New World - Aldous Huxley)

Member Name: jwebb5

Product:	Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
Date:	09/06/09 (38 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant storytelling; deep meaning; ingenious, visionary inventions; prophetic; the list goes on..

Disadvantages: None spring to mind

I wanted to get through this review without referring to George Orwell's 1984, but...well, there we go - 10 words, and that's out of the window. Everybody has heard of 1984, and even if they haven't read it, understands the basic concept: dystopian future of the Earth in, you guessed it, 1984, where everything is controlled by an oppressive dictator in the form of Big Brother. It's a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it, but I can no longer describe it as the greatest prophetic dystopia painted in the 20th century. Not since reading Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World'.

The two books are actually quite different, although you will hear them compared to one another in numerous places, including this review. Part of these differences can surely be attributed to the time difference: '1984' was written almost two decades later than 'Brave New World', which was published in 1932. As those who paid attention in history will remember, something called World War Two happened in between the writing of these two novels, and this can be attributed to the differences in the authors' outlooks - worldwide conflicts can often alter opinions.

It is probably also the reason that the world painted in 'Brave New World' is a far more cheerful one than the vision of the future seen in '1984'. In fact, the entire world is built around maintaining the happiness of the people inhabiting it. Everybody loves their work, since they are 'conditioned' to love it; there are no diseases, no heartbreaks, no real pain; recreational activities, including sex, are actively encouraged; and should you still find something to dislike, the perfect drug, soma, is there to provide a holiday. The world is more a utopia than a dystopia, simply because everyone is happy.

I won't spoil the plot for you, because I wouldn't want you to miss out on the experience of reading this book for yourself, but the basic idea is something like the following. In this future world, there are some uncivilized camps, where the 'savages' live - life in these camps is much like normal life, as it was in the 1930s. 'Brave New World' explores the reaction of one of these savages exposed to the new world. It makes for fascinating reading, and will really make you think about the world and re-evalute your attitude to life. Few books will make you think quite like this one, and the different characters, with their clashing opinions, are masterfully created to show the various aspects of the utopia.

The most magical parts of the book are to be found in Huxley's imaginings of the world in the future. Again, I won't spoil any of them for you, but they are remarkable, astonishingly ingenious, perfectly designed, and, in some cases, very, very prophetic. His vision was amazing, and the way he sees the world changing is extremely interesting.

The messages in this book are almost endless, and I'm sure it will be one where you see new things with each new reading. They are also very individual to you - your own values will reflect the way you see Huxley's vision, as a paradise, or a nightmare. Personally, I found it very hard to choose between the two extremes: a world with no problems, and constant, if moderate and slightly dull, happiness, or a flawed world with daily pains, but the occasional euphoric thrill that is simply unobtainable in Huxley's controlled world. The concept eventually boils down to an age-old conflict: science and progress against creativity and passion. Whichever side of the fence you sit will influence the way you feel about Huxley's utopia/dystopia.

'Brave New World' is a very deep book, but with a simple concept: how would we cope with a perfect world (meaning one without problems)? As you uncover both sides of the argument, it becomes a more and more difficult decision. The storytelling is, at times, undiluted genius: the characters are wonderfully crafted; the inventions are astonishing, especially since many are now actually feasible; the changes in the world projected by Huxley have, in several cases, actually happened; it is one of those rare books where everything is explained and perfectly fits together; the prose is sublime; and the messages are hugely powerful, and are sure to carry a meaning to everyone. It really isn't a book to miss, and provides a wonderful experience that is sure to change your opinion and make you think about the world in different ways.

If I had to choose between this and '1984', Huxley's effort would win my approval. His predictions are more imaginative, and yet more realistic, more truthful, somehow. The dilemma he creates is ultimately unsolvable, since the flawless world has it's own flaws. It is very easy to read, and a truly brilliant story.

Summary: A read as essential as eating and breathing