From the Bookshelf of Reading the Classics…

Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

Start date: January 1, 2012

Finish date: January 31, 2012

Discussion: Past Group Reads

Discussion leader: Jenn

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Past Group Reads

* Washington Square - Reading Schedule
By Brian , co-moderator · 3 posts · 28 views

last updated May 08, 2021 11:27AM

* Rebecca Reading Schedule
By Jenn , moderator · 1 post · 25 views

last updated Feb 04, 2021 10:42AM

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What Members Thought

Jun 29, 2012 tara bomp rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, philosophy, science-fiction, english

Pretty amazingly brings into focus the question of "what's the point?" I was constantly thinking about the point of society and what "progress" is meant to accomplish throughout. It's not as if this is the first time I've considered this stuff but the book does a great job of making you feel about it. The world it sketches out is fascinating. The last two chapters he kind of goes full on monologue and doesn't hide the point of the book but it's still great. The various world views and the lack o ...more

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May 12, 2010 Becky R. rated it it was amazing

I forgot how much I loved this book. Just about every page of my copy of the novel was marked up with my thoughts and connections. Everything from the names used in the book (which all tie to famous communists or free-thinkers of the time), to the casual way in which sex was treated (since all passions lead to crime and unhappiness), were really interesting to think about and consider. From the beginning, I told my students that this book was not about glamorizing immorality, nor degrading reaso I forgot how much I loved this book. Just about every page of my copy of the novel was marked up with my thoughts and connections. Everything from the names used in the book (which all tie to famous communists or free-thinkers of the time), to the casual way in which sex was treated (since all passions lead to crime and unhappiness), were really interesting to think about and consider. From the beginning, I told my students that this book was not about glamorizing immorality, nor degrading reason, and that they should be looking for the satire. Luckily, they found it! The satire in the novel is embedded in the absurdities behind erotic play being encouraged for children, avoiding family connections at all costs, and packing Soma pills around so that an escape from reality was just around the corner. It is obvious that Huxley is pointing out more about how pain, love, fear, joy, hate, and happiness all go together; that essentially, we as humans have to have structure and control, to understand and enjoy beauty. Essentially, without pain, chaos, and restraint, we would be like infants, who are unable to comprehend creation in any sense.

It seems obvious that Huxley's novel is a reaction to the many political powers threatening societies across the globe. While we see the way forcing others to behave in certain ways can backfire, we also see Huxley pointing a finger at us as individuals, asking us to examine our own beliefs that affect our daily lives. Religion seems to come directly under fire in the novel, not for its ability to inspire, but for its power to direct the way people think, almost mindlessly. In essence, we can see that thought, feeling, and believing are encouraged on an individual basis, and in a way that unites us as human beings. Huxley definitely seems to be encouraging a certain morality that I find refreshing, and a message that can only be reached with an open mind and a little reason. Overall, I think this was a great text to end my school year with, and I loved the discussions we had. From my own point of view, it was a great experience re-reading this as an adult, as I found so much more to connect to than before. If you want a lot of discussion, this is the book to pick up! ...more

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Feb 11, 2010 Tim rated it really liked it

Glad to have finally read this. Well-written, scary, and sort of sad.

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Jun 25, 2009 Angie Palau rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed the satirical view of a science-dominated, commercialism-as-religion future as seen from 1931. Huxley hit some nails square on the head, and fortunately missed some as well. Very interesting read, and I look forward to comparing it to 1984 next month!

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Sep 08, 2008 Carl rated it it was ok · review of another edition

It was okay. It got a little boring at times and I ended up hating all the characters except Hemholtz, who only played a bit part. John's suffering for suffering's sake was just as ridiculous as society's being happy for happiness's sake. ...more

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