Island - Aldous Huxley

Island - Aldous Huxley: An Island in the literary World. (582 words)
by paulhanton - written on 16.04.08 (Very useful, 104 readings)
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Aldous Huxley wrote this book almost as an antidote to Brave New World, it was his vision of how things could (and maybe should) be, a journey into the philosphy of hope instead of depair. The central character is a modern (then) day journalist (Will Farnaby) plunged (by shipwreck) into a society that has had little contact with the outside world, on an island called Pala. This island's culture has very different view on most things in life than Westerners, especially Parnaby have ever experienced. The very first thing that strikes one as something noteworthy are the birds that squawk 'here and now' and 'attention' as a reminder to the indigenous ...

Huxley's Island- Not so idyllic (641 words)
by voodoochilli - written on 16.06.02 (Very useful, 1136 readings)
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Aldous Huxley is currently one of my favourite authors along with H.G Wells, John Wyndham and Harry Mulisch. Many of his books such as "The Doors of Perception", "Brave New World" and "Point Counter Point" have left a powerful impact on readers over the generations and have made impressions on authors, philosophers, scientists and the like. His Scrupulous and sometimes witty attention to detail is something that has helped him to have the respected name he owns. Born in 1894 in Surrey, great things were already expected from him as many of his relatives were famous for their intellectual ramblings including his grandfather, Thomas ...

Island - Aldous Huxley: The other side of Huxley (191 words)
by rmallinson - written on 28.01.01 (Very useful, 246 readings)
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Huxley is best known for the distopian horror of 'Brave New World' which explores the dehumanizing influence of genetic engineering and state control. In this less well known work Huxley addresses the far more positive topic of realising his utopia. Merging the influences of Buddhism and the other western philosophies, all to the backdrop of the pacific island of Pala. Using a cynical journalist Will Farnaby, Huxley sets out in detail his model of a society, from education to religion and heatlth care, huxley examines the practicality of his system. While his eventual judgement is shown by the depressing chances of the islands survival, the ...