Revised introduction; new chronology and further reading
Translated with an Introduction by Paul Turner. read full description
Translated with an Introduction by Paul Turner. read full description
reviews
Sep 19, 2007
Mahdy
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Thomas More is traveling in the Low Countries when he sees his friend, Peter Giles. Giles introduces him to a well-traveled friend of his, Raphael Hythloday.
Raphael speaks of many countries and their policies and laws, and freely criticizes the laws of their own countries.He then begins speaking of a country, Utopia, which he thinks is ruled very well and is a perfect country.
More begs Raphael to speak more of Utopia, and he does. He first tells of their towns, which are More...
Raphael speaks of many countries and their policies and laws, and freely criticizes the laws of their own countries.He then begins speaking of a country, Utopia, which he thinks is ruled very well and is a perfect country.
More begs Raphael to speak more of Utopia, and he does. He first tells of their towns, which are More...
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Oct 06, 2007
James
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Thomas More was better at being a martyr then being an engaging writer. Probably going to hell now, but with all the science fiction out there, all the utopia/dystopia motifs oozing out of everything, and this version not even being the first example of a literary Utopia (not to mention that this "Utopia" is clearly no utopia at all), this book is better left to Medieval literature classes or on the shelf all together.
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Dec 08, 2008
Deborah
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Mar 09, 2009
A.J.
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If you need a reason to be a pinko communist sissy, I imagine you can do a little better than this. The Greek word for utopia actually means "no-place" or "nonsense". For the two or three of you who still haven't figured out why people use Marx's Manifesto as toilet paper, you might actually appreciate the ideas presented here, but bear in mind that it's likely not even Thomas More himself was taking it seriously.
You could call this a work of fiction as much as o More...
You could call this a work of fiction as much as o More...
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Feb 08, 2010
Donald
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Jun 06, 2008
Ryan
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This is one of the worst books I have ever read. Poorly written, annoyingly condescending, ridiculously simplistic and more than anything, stupid.
No wonder why the commies (Lenin and others) commemorated More in the early days of communist Russia. his ideals are to "get rid of the beggars" by forced labor, allow no private ownership of anything, no specialization of labor, (yet still have a highly artistic/agrarian society, everything totally equal, (except for the "t More...
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Jan 06, 2008
Ryan
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The term 'utopia' in the way we use it today, to refer to an ideal but unattainable state, comes from this book, which More wrote in 1516. The form is political critique disguised as fantasy disguised as travelogue. More casts himself as the recorder of Raphael Hythloday's travels to the island of Utopia, where, despite their lack of Christianity, the people are closer to realizing the Christian ideal society through rational government than Europe ever was. Today serious criticism doesn't have
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May 09, 2010
Madeline
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Interesting, mostly just because it's cool to see what people (or at least Thomas More) considered to be an ideal society back then. Because really, it isn't.
There's a lot that I thought was really strange about Utopia (Latin for "no place"), but here's what I remember most: when parents are considering marrying their children off, they have the two teenagers stand naked in front of each other (accompanied by dependable chaperones, of course) so they can make sure neither More...
There's a lot that I thought was really strange about Utopia (Latin for "no place"), but here's what I remember most: when parents are considering marrying their children off, they have the two teenagers stand naked in front of each other (accompanied by dependable chaperones, of course) so they can make sure neither More...
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Nov 23, 2008
Brianna
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As much as I enjoy reading 16th century ideas (or rather, ideals), this book is pretty unforgiving.
It's safe to say that I enjoy the idea of this book more than the book itself. I love the importance of this book, but have a semi-difficult time plodding through it (especially on a re-read, when the ideas itself aren't new).
I am fascinated by Sir Thomas More's legend, and the time period this book was written in. I'm also astonished that the ideals he put forth didn' More...
It's safe to say that I enjoy the idea of this book more than the book itself. I love the importance of this book, but have a semi-difficult time plodding through it (especially on a re-read, when the ideas itself aren't new).
I am fascinated by Sir Thomas More's legend, and the time period this book was written in. I'm also astonished that the ideals he put forth didn' More...
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Dec 19, 2008
Nick
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Both more and less readable than one would expect. Ultimately, more an insight into the minds of Renaissance-era Englishmen than anything useful today as a philosophical statement.
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Jan 25, 2012
Lucille
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I'm taking a class in Utopian Fiction. Not surprisingly, this was the first book on the reading list. Thomas More's Utopia is comprised of two books. Book One involves setting up the discussion between More's character in the novel, Raphael Nonsenso the explorer, Peter Gilles and a few other characters. In the first book, some of the flaws of the current (16th century) English society are pointed out, including but not limited to issues such as poverty, theft and the idleness of the upper class.
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Jan 02, 2012
Lydia
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The first exchange in Utopia challenges the way nearly all governments operate: why do we make it difficult for people to meet their basic needs, and then punish them when they turn to theft?
Thomas More then goes on to describe his ideal society, the commonwealth of Utopia. In Utopia, all people freely share their labor, and take only what they need of others' labor, so there is no need for money. The cities are carefully controlled, so that there is no lack of a certain thing anywhere More...
Thomas More then goes on to describe his ideal society, the commonwealth of Utopia. In Utopia, all people freely share their labor, and take only what they need of others' labor, so there is no need for money. The cities are carefully controlled, so that there is no lack of a certain thing anywhere More...
Dec 29, 2011
Ira
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This book is a man's dream about a better world, where money would have no place, where everyone would be treated with kindness and respect, and where any labour is rewarded properly. I loved the charming Utopians for their wisdom of life, for their elaborate laws, for the way they organize their day and the fact that everyone was fond of reading and music. They had a talent for effectiveness: their towns were very clean and well-proportioned, every house had a beautiful garden which was the pri
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Dec 17, 2011
Art
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Utopia goes nicely alongside Brave New World, 1984, Animal Farm and all that for those interested in different approaches to running society and the pros & cons of idealism. In the first part some dudes argue about how laws, kings and societies should operate, then in the second we get a detailed description of life in 'Utopia'. Most of the arguments in here we still have today (whether the death penalty is viable, how to distribute wealth, the length of the working day) and there are shades of
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Sep 06, 2011
This is one of the few books that continue to completely puzzle the world. No body really knows why, with what intention, for what purpose, or with what emphasis it was written. More was undoubtedly a very intelligent man, and knew what he was doing, but the very character of the book makes it hard to decipher (at least that's my view).
However, that hasn't stopped me from making up my own theory, and it is this: the key passages of the entire work are in the First Part, where More rebu More...
However, that hasn't stopped me from making up my own theory, and it is this: the key passages of the entire work are in the First Part, where More rebu More...
Aug 14, 2011
Todd
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Probably the most lasting impact of Thomas More's book Utopia is that it brought the word "utopia" into the English language. With that said, the book (published in 1516) was rather forward looking in that it put forth ideas of socialism, egalitarianism, women’s rights, euthanasia, divorce, religious tolerance, the ability of a priest to marry and others, long before they had been tried in practice (in fact, some are still being debated today).
The book takes the form of an i More...
The book takes the form of an i More...
Jul 31, 2011
Patrick
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Sir Thomas: you died a noble death. Your immortality lies in both words and deeds.
“For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this but that you first make thieves and then punish them?”
“For most princes apply themselves more to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace; and in these I neither hav More...
“For if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this but that you first make thieves and then punish them?”
“For most princes apply themselves more to affairs of war than to the useful arts of peace; and in these I neither hav More...
Jul 26, 2011
Shawn
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The Utopian society More advocates is actually a form of bureaucratic communism with slavery and acceptance of religions added.
He keeps saying that there aren’t many laws but his every description is another law. True, if kept to the level described it probably is less laws than most modern nations but it is still burdensome and the lack of laws is countered by having every triviality brought before judges.
He describes the land not having lawyers as a good thing, but I’m More...
He keeps saying that there aren’t many laws but his every description is another law. True, if kept to the level described it probably is less laws than most modern nations but it is still burdensome and the lack of laws is countered by having every triviality brought before judges.
He describes the land not having lawyers as a good thing, but I’m More...
May 19, 2011
Rachel Renee
rated it:
This was my first time reading Utopia, and I can't help thinking that this book is considered philosophically groundbreaking and vitally historically important because people can't decide how to interpret More's intentions as much as for its content!
I read through it without any sort of outside references before moving on to some reviews/philosophizing/criticisms/etc., but trying to keep bias out of my initial impression of the book certainly didn't help me form any sort of cohesive More...
I read through it without any sort of outside references before moving on to some reviews/philosophizing/criticisms/etc., but trying to keep bias out of my initial impression of the book certainly didn't help me form any sort of cohesive More...
May 16, 2011
Apparently More agrees with Dr Nitschke on VE (voluntary euthanasia), giving me an excuse to read this book as part of my research.
to wit -
"I have already related to you with what care they look after their sick, so that nothing is left undone which may contribute either to their health or ease. And as for those who are afflicted with incurable disorders, they use all possible means of cherishing them, and of making their lives as comfortable as possible; they visit More...
to wit -
"I have already related to you with what care they look after their sick, so that nothing is left undone which may contribute either to their health or ease. And as for those who are afflicted with incurable disorders, they use all possible means of cherishing them, and of making their lives as comfortable as possible; they visit More...
May 10, 2011
Jessie
rated it:
I'm actually really loving these classic pieces of literature I'm reading for class... Although that may have something to do with the inhuman amounts of caffeine that I'm typically under the influence of while doing school work. And it's clear I need more coffee when my annotations go from "central theme of education" to "dude- awesome."
I probably would have given it 5 stars if not for the complete and utter ridiculousness of Rafael's reflections at times, and his More...
I probably would have given it 5 stars if not for the complete and utter ridiculousness of Rafael's reflections at times, and his More...
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Mar 20, 2011
Mando
rated it:
An interesting presentation of a mythical/imaginary communist nation. I found myself wondering how much influence this book had on Marx when he wrote his Communist Manifesto. It's set up as a dialogue, although it's pretty one-sided since it's a traveler named Raphael telling More about the nation Utopia. There are lots of intriguing ideas and opinions about what makes a functional society, and ways that societies could/would be made better. There is also a peppering of wit and humor, such a
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Feb 16, 2011
Mendi
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Everyone has heard of Utopia and knows what it stands for, but I don't think a lot of people have actually read the book that used the term for the very first time (More 'invented' the word). I had no idea what this book was going to be like, but I did expect something a bit more.. well, like a novel. The first book is actually quite conventional, although it gives the impression of being a non-fiction work (very nicely done). Book two on the other hand is almost like an anthropological account
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Feb 10, 2011
Leah
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Raise your hand if you, like me, were a little girl growing up in the 90s who's favourite movie was at one point or another, "Ever After" starring Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston? Good, good. Now, how many of you remember Danielle (Barrymore) receiving a book from her father at the beginning of the movie? Remember that? The book was Thomas More's Utopia. It was Daneille's most treasured possession.
Now, reading it at 21 years old, nearly 15 years later, I am seeing moments wher More...
Now, reading it at 21 years old, nearly 15 years later, I am seeing moments wher More...
Jan 24, 2011
Heather
rated it:
"Utopia" has been on my to-read list since eighth grade, so maybe it is not surprising that it did not quite live up to my expectations. Despite its fictional explorer as the storyteller's voice, it was unexpectedly dry. It was also unexpectedly non-Catholic, considering that next to authoring this book, Thomas More is best known for getting himself beheaded when he refused to turn Protestant under Henry VIII. Utopian literature by its very nature must assume that natural man is goo
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Nov 29, 2010
Erica
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More might be suffering from an outdated book that doesn't read well, but he's also suffering from a lack of story at all. Content, motion, characters - something! Utopia is mainly a dictation of politics, agriculture, city construction, jobs...of the "ideal" Utopians. Trouble is, the "ideal" is more like a bandage: he's got Utopia representing the patch-over to cover the blemish that is all society of his time. And that bandage comes in one size: Behold. It Is Utopia. Yes, T
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Nov 28, 2010
Jeremy
rated it:
Classic socialist propaganda. If only we could do away with property rights then everyone could share the land and be happy… If only everyone could have the basic necessities provided for them, and could have the same quality of life as everyone else, no matter what their vocation… If only we could do away with money and inequality…
Actually this book does a pretty effective job of lulling you into believing these possibilities. It was written a very long time ago but still seems relat More...
Actually this book does a pretty effective job of lulling you into believing these possibilities. It was written a very long time ago but still seems relat More...
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Nov 25, 2010
Jesse
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Utopia is the dream of a philosopher, but fails largely to account for the fact that not all men are philosophers, or for that matter completely virtuous. As I read the through this account of society perfected, what alarmed me most was the constant references to the uniform attitude of the people. All lived alike, dressed alike, ate alike, and apparently thought alike, in all but the most trifling matters. Those that could not conform became slaves or outcasts. Of course, such a collectively ho
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Aug 30, 2010
Michael
rated it:
Utopia, by Thomas More ****
The Life of Sir Thomas More, by William Roper ****
Imagine a world where nothing is your own. The house you live in, the furnishings, the clothes you wear; everything is held in common with the State deciding who receives what. You can be evicted at any time and forced to live in another house, taking nothing with you, leaving all behind. Your time is not your own. You are constantly watched by your neighbors who will report on you if you do not work More...
The Life of Sir Thomas More, by William Roper ****
Imagine a world where nothing is your own. The house you live in, the furnishings, the clothes you wear; everything is held in common with the State deciding who receives what. You can be evicted at any time and forced to live in another house, taking nothing with you, leaving all behind. Your time is not your own. You are constantly watched by your neighbors who will report on you if you do not work More...
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Aug 08, 2010
Angela
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