Call me unintellectual but I can't stand Nadsat. (A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess)

Member Name: Renza_e

Product:	A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Date:	11/01/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great message and ideas

Disadvantages: Dislike the writing style

Whilst I may be immensely unpopular in making such a statement I believe that the film is better than the book. I read books for their entertainment factor and whilst I understand that this has a very interesting message in terms of criminality, ideas of good and bad and of free will, I just could not get used to the 'Nadsat' youth language. I did find it quite effective as it adds an even more chilling edge to the descriptions of the crimes Alex and his gang commits. The use of slang to describe such acts really hits a chord.
Personally, I consider the writing style of a book incredibly important in engaging myself as a reader and the Nadsat style was just unable to draw me in. Whilst the creation of distance between the writer and reader may have been intentional I just find it ineffective.
Great ideas and essentially a great story but the use of Nadsat, whilst it helps define the text, made the book less enjoyable.

Summary: Great ideas and story - dislike Nadsat.