The Bowie Book Club discussion
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A Clockwork Orange
June 2016 - A Clockwork Orange
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Reading discussion - Part III
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The Reading Bibliophile
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May 31, 2016 12:50AM
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Burgess ranted on an on about the US decision to change (or omit would be a better word) the ending from ACO.
Which ending do you think is better? Do you consider Alex a redeemable figure or not?
I think that anybody can redeem him/herself, but, once you know all that that person had done, it's hard to believe it. Maybe he will actually do all the things he said he would. Pete did it. But it's a big change, and I'll always ask myself why were they like that in the first place. Is it something in them? The age old question, nature vs. nurture.
I prefer the ending of the book to the film. Alex may be redeemable or not depending on what his future life will add up to. He could slip back into violence so easily as he has an intelligence and passion that has always been on a knife edge. His parents are like sheep and follow orders and he has rebelled against them and believes a child of his would go through the same process. Yes the age old question of nature v nurture. A tough book to read especially in these turbulent violent times but a rewarding one in many ways. I loved the way Burgess used Nadsat to distance us from the horror (not effectively enough unfortunately for me) and I found the writing quite Shakespearean and elegant. I'm ready for something of a more gentle nature now to be sure.
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From what I read, I agree that the writing is very crafted. It is never vulgar. Quite a tour de force.
Cynthia wrote: "Since I have not read completely the book and I cannot remember the ending of the movie (gosh, I'm getting old), what was the ending of the book ? From what I read, I agree that the writing is ver..."
It's different than the book. He comes to an agreement of mutual support with the head of the government who made those experiments on him. There isn't even an indication of a possible redemption.
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From what I read, I agree that th..."
Ok, thanks! I finally get it.
