I was given this to read in my literature class by my slightly unhinged teacher. I’d heard rumours about the book, mainly based upon the controversy around Stanley Kubrick’s film. Then I opened it, and remembered the first rule of reading, don’t think it is anything remotely like the film. The novel(la) is pure genius and can make one think very hard about the world.
One question is visited all the way throughout the book, as delinquent Alex pleasures himself on an orgy of sex, violence and Beethoven. Which is a better thing for society to have, perfect, crimeless citizens or no free will. Although this question is asked in the film, it is asked in a more-lighthearted and less serious manner.
Only when we see the world through Alex’s eyes, do we see the real pain and problems that the Ludovico treatment is putting him through. By doing this, the book grapples with conventional, conservative thought and really questions what can be done if society implodes (as it has done in the book).
Burgess writes in an eccentric, but meaningful way and the use of Alex’s slang (Nadsat) allows us to see the world and use Alex’s (rather twisted) morals. His originality is to be adored and he really brings the book to life, and although other books have made bold political statements (Golding’s Lord of the Flies and Orwell’s 1984 & Animal Farm), none have been so deep and compelling. A must-read.
Sadly, Burgess didn’t really repeat himself with a novel of the same calibre, but still must be praised for his immaculate way of writing.