October 2014: A Clockwork Orange

[Joseph “Millennium Man”]

A Clockwork Orange is our October read...
So,
Sit back,
Pour yourself a glass of milk and spend some time with your favorite droogs...

[Albany]

I saw the movie years ago and am only know reading the book. This language the author made up is fascinating. At first it was pretty annoying to get through but some words start growing on you. Did the movie adapt these terms also? I don't remember.

[Cecily]

Yes, the film used the same Nadsad vocabulary. It's based on a mix of Malay, Russian and Cockney. He wanted something that wouldn't date, as contemporary teen slang would have done.

[Tina]

I recommend the British version. Has an extra chapter.

[Thiashya]

This is definitely one of my favourite books of all time - Burgess' use of language is absolutely phenomenal and it is just so thought provoking. Is the movie as good as the book? I've also written a book review here (no spoilers) if anyone is interested. Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks about this one, it's definitely a bit of a challenge to get through.

[Albany]

Thiashya (what an interesting name) I saw the movie before the book and it's pretty good, you should check it out, though it ends at chapter 20 instead of chapter 21.

[Charlie]

So which version have you read - American or British? And which ending do you prefer? I think the 21st chapter deserves its place and it nicely shows the coming of age of the protagonist.

[RitaSkeeter]

Charlie wrote: "So which version have you read - American or British? And which ending do you prefer? I think the 21st chapter deserves its place and it nicely shows the coming of age of the protagonist."

I read the 21 chapter English version. I chose this version firstly because I wanted to read the book as the author intended it, and secondly because I'm not sure the 20 chapter version is common here anyway.

I understand Burgess was trying to show hope in the 21st chapter, but I had issues with it. (view spoiler)[ Burgess seems to suggest that Alex outgrows his violence through maturation. I don't think that is realistic at all. Whilst some young offenders may stop offending as they mature, I would suggest this is unlikely for Alex give the extreme end of offending he was at, not to mention the continued lack of remorse (hide spoiler)].

[Thiashya]

I also read the 21 chapter version - and personally, I always back the author's intention. It's necessary for the coherence of the novel (3 sections with 7 chapters each) and to suggest Alex is capable of growth. (view spoiler)[ Up until the 21st chapter Alex's character epitomizes evil and his life is somewhat mechanical (like clockwork), and when he starts to show maturation we see the a glimpse of human nature (something organic, like an orange). (hide spoiler)]

If you're interested Burgess wrote about it in his introduction 'A Clockwork Orange Resucked' : http://thefloatinglibrary.com/2009/04...

[Jordan]

Regarding the ending (view spoiler)[ I don't think the last chapter shows Alex maturing out of violence, he just becomes bored. When you're younger you don't have a lot of freedom of action and in Alex and his droogs this manifests into violence. When he's older and he has other freedoms, other things that he could be doing, those new choices become more important and the violence that he's spent so much time experiencing just becomes old hat. (hide spoiler)]

[She's Stacked (Jo-Anne)]

I read this years ago and I plan to get it again for a re-read here. I loved Burgess' use of language. It was incredible because it allowed the reader to be like a child again learning language from an organic place - by connection and association. I appreciated being able to be cognizant of that particular process. When we learn a language we are told except for the first time we learn our own as children. It is something we don't pay attention to - how vast our minds can be and how efficiently it works.

I look forward to talking to you all in depth about this novel.

[Charlie]

Do you think organic language learning as an adult is possible? I already knew Russian so I don't think I will have had the same experience as you with Burgess' language.

[Biblio]

I was always overly fearful of this one book. I think it's the only book I wasn't allowed to read as a teen. The Exorcist and Mein Kamph were safer to read and not 'banned' to me.

So... Cautiously, I watched the movie first and I actually loved it. The rape scenes are intense but they show far less than what's shown nowadays. I'm excited to finally read this one.

[Biblio]

Actually, Helter Skelter was one other banned book, my mom was reading it. I knew the basics of Charles Manson, but no details.

The result of all this rambling, the thinking of psychopaths is a very interesting topic.

Why is the book called A Clockwork Orange?