Group Reads -> November 2021 -> Nomination Thread (Dystopian/Utopian fiction won by Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)

[Nigeyb]

Thanks Hugh - I was taken with the description and the reviews I read

[Jonathan]

Nigeyb wrote: "

Our October 2021 theme is Dystopian/Utopian fiction ..."

Its interesting to note what a huge response/interest there has been in this theme, which has dwarfed recent Polls for the numbers casting a vote.
Maybe its the time we are living in?

[Jonathan]

Hugh wrote: "Riddley Walker - a truly unique book written in an imaginary degraded post-apocalyptic version of English, ..."

I like your use of the adjective "degraded"; it adds to the sense of foreboding as to what the reader is going to be exposed to!

[Nigeyb]

Jonathan wrote:


"Maybe its the time we are living in?"

I hadn't thought about that - good point

The poll has no closed and, no surprise, our winner is....

Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley

See you all in November

Thanks to everyone who voted, nominated, discussed and got involved

I'll do the admin later today

Ranked as one of the top dystopian novels of all time, the top 100 greatest novels of all time, and the novel was listed at number 87 in the BBC's Big Read survey.

Brave New World is a dystopian novel by English author Aldous Huxley, written in 1931 and published in 1932. Largely set in a futuristic World State, inhabited by genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation and classical conditioning that are combined to make a dystopian society which is challenged by only a single individual: the story's protagonist.

[Jan C]

You mean I missed the vote?

[Nigeyb]

Jan C wrote: "You mean I missed the vote?"


An amazing 69 votes this time Jan...

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...


Results

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - 28 votes, 40.6%
Animal Farm by George Orwell - 15 votes, 21.7%
Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban - 11 votes, 15.9%
Farthing by Jo Walton - 8 votes, 11.6%
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin - 7 votes, 10.1%

[Susan]

For anyone who likes this genre, there are a couple of books in the kindle deals that might appeal today: The Power and Widowland

[Alwynne]

Nigeyb wrote: "Jan C wrote: "You mean I missed the vote?"


An amazing 69 votes this time Jan...

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2......"

I noticed that, and lots of new people or profiles I haven't come across before, I didn't realise Huxley had that much of a following!

[Nigeyb]

Alwynne wrote:


"I didn't realise Huxley had that much of a following!"

Nor me. Amazing. I've read a few of his books, which were varied and interesting, but he's never struck me as amongst the greats.

Here's to a lively and enlightening discussion

[Hugh]

I hope some of those new voters will contribute to the discussion.

[Nidhi]

I voted for Huxley and I am ashamed to confess that I have neither read Island nor Brave New World. Both are on list for group reads in coming months, all my friends have read these books, it was in syllabus also still I always missed it. May be because I feel very uncomfortable with this genre, Atwood’s Handmaids Tale gave me nightmares, I am postponing reading The Testaments. Imagination or whatever, she shows stark , naked truth about future, I am afraid of that.

[Nigeyb]

Me too Hugh


Nidhi, thanks for posting. We don't have any plans to read Island

Here's hoping that Brave New World is more of a pleasant reading experience for you. Looking forward to discussing it with you in November

[Alwynne]

Hugh wrote: "I hope some of those new voters will contribute to the discussion."

Me too, had a bit of a disappointing experience of that in another group, lots of new voters all no-shows, and the runner-up had lots of votes from regulars, so seemed a bit unfair. But optimism, maybe the start of autumn means more people with more time!

[Alwynne]

Nigeyb wrote: "Alwynne wrote:


"I didn't realise Huxley had that much of a following!"

Nor me. Amazing. I've read a few of his books, which were varied and interesting, but he's never struck me as amongst the ..."

I've read this, 'Chrome Yellow' and 'Point-Counter-Point' all I really remember from the last two is a striking image of a dog corpse splattering across a rooftop, so much good it did me!

[Nidhi]

Island is another group read, in October. I mostly use app so I cannot navigate properly. Also , I join groups on the app and forget to introduce myself when I visit the website... I am sorry for that, I will introduce myself on all new groups, next time I visit the site.

[Ben]

Would anyone be interested in a Buddy Read of The Dispossessed

[Alwynne]

Ben wrote: "Would anyone be interested in a Buddy Read of The Dispossessed "

Definitely.

[Nigeyb]

Just agree timing Ben and Alwynne and I will add it to the schedule, and our bookshelf

[Susan]

I would be interested in doing a buddy read of Farthing, if RC is still keen.

[Ben]

Alwynne and I are happy with 15 November onwards. Does anyone else want to chip in before we set the date?

[Lynaia]

I just ordered a copy of Farthing. I would join a buddy read of it although I have been terrible about contributing to the discussions over the last year+.

[Jill]

I would be interested in Farthng too.

[Susan]

It was RC's suggestion, so, if she is happy to do a buddy read, perhaps she could choose when? There aren't too many books for either November or December and I am fine with both.

[Roman Clodia]

Yes, delighted to run a Farthing buddy read, shall we say November or is there overlap with people reading Dispossessed? If so, we could push to December.

[Ben]

I’m ok either way for November or December.

[Susan]

I didn't see any buddy reads listed for Nov or Dec, but I am happy with either. Looking forward to it, RC. And to reading Brave New World, which I haven't read before.

[Roman Clodia]

Excellent - let's say November then for Farthing buddy read, starting around the 15th - busy day tomorrow but will add to our bookshelf and set up the thread on Friday.

[Jan C]

I read BNW +50 years ago in school. I read it but I don't remember liking it.

[Ben]

Ok. I'm not sure how much involvement we'll have over Christmas, so let's do The Dispossessed as a Buddy Read in January.

[Kit]

I’m down for The Dispossessed buddy read.

[Rosina]

If there is going to be a Farthing buddy-read, I will hold back from reading it now ...

[Susan]

Great, RC. I can set the thread up, don't worry.

[Ben]

Would a moderator please also set up a thread for our Buddy Read of The Dispossessed in January?

Many thanks!

[Susan]

I would say no problem, Ben, but Nigeyb, brilliant as always, has already set one up for you.

[Ben]

Thanks!

[Nigeyb]

Thanks Ben. Thanks Susan


Here is the discussion thread for The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin.....

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "Great, RC. I can set the thread up, don't worry."

Thanks so much, Susan (I was away on a work trip, back now) - I've added both Farthing and The Dispossessed to our bookshelf so they'll appear in the upcoming books list.

[Nigeyb]

Hurrah


Thanks RC

Here's to more splendid discussions