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A Clockwork Orange

Questions About A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

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Answered Questions (29)

Is this book hard to understand the writing???
Eugene Leventhal It's not all fictional language, a good portion of it is slang based off of transliterated Russian. It can be a little frustrating at first (even if y…moreIt's not all fictional language, a good portion of it is slang based off of transliterated Russian. It can be a little frustrating at first (even if you speak Russian), but I think it’s totally worth it as it adds an interesting element of providing cultural context. The book was written in the ‘60’s, so I couldn’t help but see Burgess' use of this kind of slang as part of his social/cultural commentary in relation to the kind of person Alex was in the start of the story, and the times which set the stage for such a person to come about (both in terms of major political issues and desire for counter-culture). I think it's worth the effort. Plus with the link that Daniel Weaver provided, it should be a breeze!(less)
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i saw the film, will the book still be enjoyable?
Susan I loved the book. I enjoyed reading the story told in the first person in Burgess's "Nadsat" dialect that's a challenge to figure out, but it really i…moreI loved the book. I enjoyed reading the story told in the first person in Burgess's "Nadsat" dialect that's a challenge to figure out, but it really immerses you in Alex's mind. I guess I'm just not a fan of Stanley Kubrick, but I hated the movie and its visuals/sets. The rape scene was particularly disturbing. Whereas the book was more philosophical and made me think more. (I also read the book before seeing the movie, so I was already partial to the book.) So the answer probably depends on WHY you liked the movie. If you like a story that will make you think and gives more insight into Alex's mind rather than emphasizing the shock value of the "ultraviolence," you may like the book even more than the film.(less)
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Is the protagonist a bad guy? I've heard tell of him not being so humane and I wonder if while reading it you see it that way or not. Do you like/root for him in all of his evil? Or are you repulsed by the wickedness of his mind? I've not read it but my friend loves it and heartily recommends it. I'm here looking for third party opinions.
KT The protagonist does things that are absolutely cringe-worthy. I can't really say what he does that is so horrendous without giving away spoilers (unl…moreThe protagonist does things that are absolutely cringe-worthy. I can't really say what he does that is so horrendous without giving away spoilers (unless you really want to know) but let's just say you do NOT want to meet him in a dark alley or be alone in a car with him. Really.
However, in the middle and latter parts of the book, there are things done to him by society in the name of "good" that are highly questionable, and as much as I hated him I found myself asking "Was that really justifiable?" And there isn't really a clear answer to that question, which is what makes the book so interesting. I love the head scratcher books where there is a very very very gray area. This book really makes you think. So in you may find yourself rooting for the main character, not because he is a great guy (he's not), but because you may not agree with what he is put through.
So that's my opinion. I really liked this book, and thought it was one of the best written books I have ever read. Yes it was sickening, but I tend to favor books that get that kind of reaction from me IF there is some kind of point being made, as opposed to just for shock value. So if you are not easily queasy and like books that make you think or are challenging, I do recommend this book.
Hope this helps! (less)
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Why was the 21st chapter not included in the U.S version? (I didn't know about this "cut"; I got the UK (Penguin) version, apparently complete; But I am curious to know what happened in US to censure it.)
Catsliteraturesandmore According to the author, it was because of the editor, who thought that chapter 21st was too naive for American readers. The fact that the old Alex wa…moreAccording to the author, it was because of the editor, who thought that chapter 21st was too naive for American readers. The fact that the old Alex was allowed to choose, to stop his violent deeds and to grow seems to be not so adequate for the editor. Who knows(less)
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I'm a little terrified to read this book, if anything... the reviews give me limited knowledge of it but I'd like to know the author's main points in the book? To give a psychological insight or provide just a strange, demented and sadist view from the characters?
Chelsea Bradley First off, it's important to know that Anthony Burgess himself did not intend for this book to become the cultural phenomenon that it was. Had it not …moreFirst off, it's important to know that Anthony Burgess himself did not intend for this book to become the cultural phenomenon that it was. Had it not been for Kubrick's controversial film, it's unlikely it would've made the leap from Britain to the rest of the world at all. He wrote this novel at a time when he'd been told by doctors that he was dying, and he was attempting to crank out as much work as possible to secure royalties for his wife after his passing. So as far as HIS purpose of writing it, he's stated that the book was inspired by the young ruffians he'd experienced in his life and his wonderings about what might happen if the government were to attempt to remove their behavior from society.

That being said, the book has taken on a life of its own in many ways. Some see it as an examination of morality, others see it as a rebel's anthem, and many just see it as senseless smut. The key question raised by the book, however, is a simple one: Can one be made good by systematically removing their capacity for evil? In other words, does the absence of evil automatically mean the presence of good? We don't ever really get a clear answer, but it does provoke thought.

As far as the characters and their view of things, Alex is a surprisingly insightful narrator. He is highly intelligent and fully aware of the evil of his actions. As the novel progresses, he experiences several crises of identity that mirror, in many ways, the path of a typical person: he is initially a youthful rebel with a seemingly uncontrollable id, then experiences the consequences of this rebellion, and must decide in the aftermath whether he will change and become a functioning member of society or continue to live on the outside looking in. The difference for Alex is that these stages are taken to the absolute extreme, as literary characters often are.

So no, I wouldn't say the book's point is just to provide a sadistic, creepy story, nor is it to provoke any sort of psychological profile. It exists as an observation of counterculture, and anything additional that you take from it is up to your interpretation.(less)
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