Vidi This, It's Proper Horrowshow! (A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess)

Name: robyoung91

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Product:	A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Date:	24/07/08 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy To Read, Great Characters, Dark Themes

Disadvantages: Violent, Disturbing

Reading the first page of Anthony Burgess's 'A Clockwork Orange' is a daunting experience. It is not often that you come across words in books which have absolutely no meaning! For example, what is moloko? Droog? Britva?

However, what Burgess has done with language is quite incredible. He has brought to the forefront the natural human ability of attempting to make sense of everything. And that's exactly what we do; by the end of the first chapter we have become fluent in Alex's (the protagonist) language, and we don't quite understand how or why.

The book follows Alex and his gang as they commit 'ultra-violent' crimes: rape, assault, theft, etc. which eventually has its concequences. Alex's freedom is put into question as he is subject to a program attempting to correct his ways. But there is something much deeper here. Questions of free-will and what it really is to be human are explored, as 'a man who cannot choose ceases to be a man,' a line which I think sums up the book.

What I find most interesting about the book is the strange sympathy I feel for the very likable Alex. He rapes, he steals, he is violent, and generally not the kind of person you'd want to be friends with. But his cultured views on the world he lives in and his incredible talent of speaking mean that we actually warm to this teenager, who essentailly becomes a pawn in a much darker game than he has been playing.

'A Clockwork Orange' is definitely a worthwhile read, because it is cleverly written, and very easy to get into even if you're not a great fan of books.

Honestly, it's proper horrowshow my droogs.

Summary: A dark, compelling tale which may shock, may offend, but will definitely entertain!