I really was hoping that I would enjoy this book

[Dale]

really was hoping that I would enjoy this book. The author's made up slang prevented me from getting into a good rhytm of reading this.
The storyline was predictable and the characters were not likeable no matter how you project.
Can someone try to convince me that I need to try a second reading?

[Norman]

Sure. Just do a bit of background reading into why Burgess wrote the book in the first place and how his "made up slang" actually has a basis in some real language! And try watching the movie, which is disturbing but very, very memorable.

[Dale]

I understand the concept behind his slang language, however, including the slang in the vocabulary of the narrator is what throws the thing off. Obviously it is a ploy by Mr. Burgess to throw you into the world of the novel but for me personally it takes away from the reading experience. If I was a linguist maybe I would feel differently.

I did see the movie and yes it was very disturbing and I was hoping that the book would be better than the movie but in this case for me that is not so.

[Sheila]

I know it doesn't make it any easier to read (I had a really hard time getting past the terms and what they meant), but I think there was a very real basis for the slang - a language of the young, if you will. Even in our own times and culture, there is a language of the young. Words, slang, that kind of thing.

Maybe the author is just showing us this difference in language as a solid barrier between youth and adulthood.

[Coalbanks]

Burgess was not concerned with spooning up pablum to his readers. He expected them to take the grit with the caviar, work to refine the ore, or throw the book in the bin!

[Natalie]

Also, remember when this was written and how influential this book has been--I think a lot of the ideas have made it into contemporary popular culture in a subtle way. What you might see now coming pretty easily was more revolutionary then. The idea of good not being actually the point? Plus, read the bit again about the orange at the lips of god. It's pretty amazing when you step back and take it on it's own terms.

[Dianna]

Is the book better than the movie?

[Bo]

I can't help you. I felt that the language served to make the scenes more violent, not less as many have suggested. Many novels are more graphic but this one "felt" worse.
The only part I liked was the cat lady beating up Alex. I was quite annoyed to sympathize with him- slightly- when he was being tormented. My lit prof said this is the genius of the book. Maybe so. It does stay with you one way or another.

[Natalie]

The movie is a lot more about Kubrick's vision. Kubrick makes a hard book even harder, even more intense. The iconic droog costume was Kubrick's, not Burgess's. And let's admit, Malcolm McDowell is his own pretty strong contribution.

I can't say which is better, both are really strong for what they are. I don't know if it's possible anymore to read the book without thinking of the movie visuals.

[Coalbanks]

As much as I admire Burgess I have to agree with N. #9, Kubrick improved on the story & I "saw" the movie when I re-read the book. But evan Kubrick has been outdone by the evening news: gangs in the streets acting with impunity everywhere to the point of civil war. Art may have imitated life back when the book & film were produced but life has exceeded those pale imitators by light years.

[[deleted user]]

i can't beleive it myself but i have neither read this book nor seen the movie
how that could have happened i don't know
i get the era having grown up in the 60's and have read everything else of the time
i am wondering if i should find a copy to read
will i enjoy it or just go yah, another koolaid acid test crossed with 2001 space odyssey?

[Natalie]

I don't think Clockwork Orange will quite fit into that category with EKAT. It's considered a pivotal work for a reason -- it's not a knockoff of anything I can recognize.

Will you ENJOY it, hell, I don't know. I guess give it a whirl and see what happens. Often people appreciate it and respect it, even though they don't enjoy it. Try the book first, then add the movie.

Note: some versions have nadsat glosseries in the back, I'd suggest looking for that or maybe finding a nadsat glossary online. Most of the words are kind of clear in context, but some aren't initially and it really bothers some people.

[[deleted user]]

yah it seems like a seminal work from everyone's reference to it so...perhaps i should finally read it
thanks for the glossary tip

[Lostinanovel]

Burgess has a devilish humor, that Kubrick understood and that I revel in...

[Melissa]

It was horrible to read, not because of the slang, although that was tough, but because it was just kind-of gruesome. Too bad there's not a graphic novel version to give readers an opportunity to at least know the story and its themes without having to claw their way through it. Maybe there is a graphic novel.

To Google! Chaaaarge!

[Jacquita]

All of the slang made reading it more than a little challenging. I thought that I would like the book but for me the whole story was very frustrating.

[Kirby]

Jacquita wrote: "All of the slang made reading it more than a little challenging. I thought that I would like the book but for me the whole story was very frustrating."

the copy I first read had a glossary in the back- it really helped!

[Jacquita]

The glossary helped but having to keep referring to it was a distraction, at least for me.

[Frankie]

I finished the book not too long ago. I personally loved the novel. The slang was hard getting used to, but you get used to it. It makes the society it's own. And I agree with Message 8, it makes the violence feel a little bit worse in their language.

[Megan]

Jacquita wrote: "The glossary helped but having to keep referring to it was a distraction, at least for me."

I remember that.. I read it in HS & it made me feel like I was studying for an exam or cheating on math homework.

[Lucy]

Jacquita wrote: "The glossary helped but having to keep referring to it was a distraction, at least for me."
Yeah, but if you ignored the glossary at first and just read the book, it begins to make sense. I referred to the glossary for the first few pages and then gave up, and most of the slang words began to make sense by themselves.

[Megan]

Wow I feel old, but just remembered I used to say 'appy polly loggy' for a couple years there, had to google this & relized it was from this book. Yes, and I remember horrorshow and malchick, too! Maybe my memory isn't completely fried yet after all :) That makes this a good Wednesday.

I liked both book & movie, I need to reread/rewatch both sometime.

[Troy]

Oooh, apparently the use of slang was done because all slang becomes dated quickly, especially that used by the kind of youthful types Burgess wanted to portray. So he 'invented' a sort of slang to keep the book from seeming dated, making it timeless, while also being able to use the sorts of slang modes of speaking that real people - particularly youthful subculture types - would use. Remarkably interesting!

[Troy]

Keeping in mind that the 'Nadsat' language in the story is essentially just using borrowed Russian words and mangling normal english ones.

[Valerie]

Well isn't hat a real horrorshow. It's one of my all time favorite books. The use of slang, changing ideas as quickly as the styles. Reflects on society well.

[Feliks]

Its a rare novel that still offers a great story at the same time that it makes you ramp up your reading skills and climb a learning curve ***as you're reading it***.

[Holly]

I'm really don't think that this is the book for someone who is simply looking for an "enjoyable" read......it is a thought provoking literary adventure into the complications of society. Perhaps try a lighter work when seeking out an enjoyable book.