personal review of the novel
Mitch's review
Anthony Burgess uses A Clockwork Orange to express his
opinion on the importance of free will.
Using his main character, Alex, a teen who is involved in a life of
violence, Burgess points out that choosing evil is a justifiable decision. Good
and evil are both options that an individual can choose. Through the
development of the story, Burgess shows that Alex has the free will to choose
and has chosen evil. In this novel
Burgess uses governmental control to transform Alex. He vividly depicts the brainwashing that
renders Alex to react without a free will or choice. The technique is effective since it keeps
Alex from performing the violent acts, however this does not truly reform
Alex. He is not choosing to be good; his
choice has been taken from him. This
automated response makes Alex less of a human.
In A Clockwork Orange, the author’s use of a perplexing slang helps separate the reader from the disturbing violence. The made up Nadsat language also creates a barrier between the teens and the adult population. This shows a distinct separation between the adult world and life in the teen world. For some readers the Nadsat language is difficult to grasp. As the reader flows through the novel he or she will find the language becomes easier to read and understand. Burgess addresses rape, murder and brutal beatings which may be disturbing to some audiences. This book is intended for a mature audience and not for the weak at heart.
In A Clockwork Orange, the author’s use of a perplexing slang helps separate the reader from the disturbing violence. The made up Nadsat language also creates a barrier between the teens and the adult population. This shows a distinct separation between the adult world and life in the teen world. For some readers the Nadsat language is difficult to grasp. As the reader flows through the novel he or she will find the language becomes easier to read and understand. Burgess addresses rape, murder and brutal beatings which may be disturbing to some audiences. This book is intended for a mature audience and not for the weak at heart.
Jake's review
Anthony Burgess in his novel, A Clockwork Orange, has really put together what a totally evil fed society would be like. Through his main character Alex he displays to the audience the violent side of youth and expresses the idea and notion that the youth do not listen to the advice of elders. They instead can only learn through making their own mistakes. He also puts in multiple ethical dilemmas for the reader to ponder as they are reading. One of the dilemmas is whether or not the government should have the power to play “God” and force people to behave instead of letting them behave freely in they way they want to behave. We also see the change in Alex from the beginning to the end of the book as well as the changes or lack thereof from his friends. At the end of the book Alex finally reaches many realizations that will help him move forward to a new chapter of his life.
This book was a great book to read. I would recommend it for people who may not enjoy reading. It is a much different book then most other books and you will be pulled in by its content. This books is not for everyone especially those who do not like the idea of violence. The scenes in the book are a bit graphic but are toned down by the use of Russian slang making it harder to interpret what is exactly going on in some parts of the novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take on the challenge. It was a great read and should not be pushed aside just because of its violent content.
This book was a great book to read. I would recommend it for people who may not enjoy reading. It is a much different book then most other books and you will be pulled in by its content. This books is not for everyone especially those who do not like the idea of violence. The scenes in the book are a bit graphic but are toned down by the use of Russian slang making it harder to interpret what is exactly going on in some parts of the novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take on the challenge. It was a great read and should not be pushed aside just because of its violent content.
Jared's review
There are no
words to describe, “A Clockwork Orange”, by Anthony Burgess, other than simply
magnificent. It is a story which cannot
easily be put down while reading.
Anthony Burgess has done an outstanding job in creating a story which is
disturbing, yet intriguing at the same time.
The story takes the reader into the mind of a criminal, Alex, the
protagonist. There are many instances
when the reader will say to themselves, “why is this person thinking the way he
does?” In my opinion, this is the
question which pushes me further to read more of the story. As I read, I was excited to read what would
happen next in the story. I would
definitely recommend this book to people who are not easily disturbed and who
enjoy an interesting read in their spare time.
It is a book which most will not regret reading.
My only issue with the novel is that it is very violent. This is not a book for everyone. If readers have trouble reading graphical and violent novels, then this is not the book for you. However, if you enjoy violent content, it will probably be a great read. For readers who are unsure, it would be beneficial to read a small amount to see if it is a book you would not have trouble reading. I, for one, do not mind reading violent and graphical content, and I enjoyed this book tremendously. Again, I recommend the book because it is a great read, but take into consideration the warning which has been told.
My only issue with the novel is that it is very violent. This is not a book for everyone. If readers have trouble reading graphical and violent novels, then this is not the book for you. However, if you enjoy violent content, it will probably be a great read. For readers who are unsure, it would be beneficial to read a small amount to see if it is a book you would not have trouble reading. I, for one, do not mind reading violent and graphical content, and I enjoyed this book tremendously. Again, I recommend the book because it is a great read, but take into consideration the warning which has been told.
Ryan's review
Here is a creative literary work that stands out from the rest. Taking a much less politically correct approach to tell a story, Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange really separates itself from any fictional story I have ever read. It is not a story one can just read half of; it is one that builds suspense and intensity throughout the entirety of the story. The whole novel must be read for everything to unfold and make sense in the end. After reading this book, I felt more complete because I can relate to growing up; It explains how most people grow up, minus the disturbing violence. Everyone is a kid who doesn't think correctly, but then matures over time. The message of this story is touching, and if it is interpreted correctly, one could connect and relate to the same feelings. The message can be found outside the box; it is not about the violence, it is about how he resolved his ways in the end. I also personally connect to this book because I am now realizing that the end of my pre-adult years is coming very fast; I have the same feeling Alex does in the end, where he realizes he is not a kid anymore. This book is nothing less than fantastic; I highly recommend this to seniors in high school because of its fascinating connections that can be drawn between older teens and the book.
My main issue, going along with what Jared said, is not what the story is telling, but HOW it is told. I believe there could have been a much smoother, more PG way of telling the same tale of A Clockwork Orange. For example, many countries banned the movie and book from being show and sold. They banned the book because of its explicit content, not its meaningful message. Once again, it is a book that needs to be read from the first page to the last page for a full understanding of the novel; the book is 'slow' at first, just describing brutal scenes of gang violence, without a real take or understanding of its meaning. Little does the reader know that all of these scenes are crucial to the storyline later in the book. This is not a book for everyone, but it has a meaning everyone can relate to.
My main issue, going along with what Jared said, is not what the story is telling, but HOW it is told. I believe there could have been a much smoother, more PG way of telling the same tale of A Clockwork Orange. For example, many countries banned the movie and book from being show and sold. They banned the book because of its explicit content, not its meaningful message. Once again, it is a book that needs to be read from the first page to the last page for a full understanding of the novel; the book is 'slow' at first, just describing brutal scenes of gang violence, without a real take or understanding of its meaning. Little does the reader know that all of these scenes are crucial to the storyline later in the book. This is not a book for everyone, but it has a meaning everyone can relate to.