Customer Reviews

A Clockwork Orange

5 star:		(303)
4 star:		(59)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

'A Clockwork Orange' is the fourth Anthony Burgess novel I've read (after 'One Hand Clapping', 'The Doctor is Sick', and 'The Wanting Seed'), which is strange since 'A Clockwork Orange' is undoubtedly Burgess's most famous novel (thanks in no small part to the film adaptation). I was hesitent in tackling 'A Clockwork Orange' because I knew it contained many invented expressions by the author and, I feared, it would make for difficult reading. Thankfully my fears were unjustified.

Firstly, as most everyone knows 'A Clockwork Orange' is a futuristic story about a sadistic teenager causing havoc with his equally disturbing mates. His behaviour is vile, with this futuristic society being portrayed as an ultra-violent hell. Fortunately he is caught, imprisoned, then undergoes 'treatment' to cure him of his violent obsessions. The story flows well, with both the characterizations and the description of this future world being very believable.

However it is Burgess's creative use of inventive gang-land slang which makes this book most memorable. Of course initially it is all rather confusing, but after a bit it is rather easy to follow. One is simply left over-awed at the author's ability to get away with such creativity - I imagine his publishers (back in the early 1960s) were rather disturbed at Burgess's creation.

Bottom line: violent, shocking and unforgettable. While not for the squeamish, most everyone will be impressed with 'A Clockwork Orange' - regardless if they've seen the film.

Just perfect, great condition, great value. Really fast dellivery and am currantly enjoying the book.
Would recomend this purchase to anyone looking to enjoy a classic book

I enjoy any book that has extremes and/or an unusual premise. Uh, this would DEFINITELY be one of those books. Books like Palahniuk's Fight Club or Katzenjammer by McCrae come to mind---books that keep you flipping the pages. CLOCKWORK is one such book. It's a bit like watching a bad freeway accident--you can't turn away.

A word of warning: You'll need to familiarize youself with the terms first, really a dictionary, as there are so many odd phrases and words in this book. Still, this harrowing tale of the world turned upside down is guaranteed to be like no other. What's it gonna be the, eh?

A Clockwork Orange is an interesting and brilliant piece of fiction.

Burgess' use of language is so interesting and original that it alone is reason enough to read the book.

The narrator, Alex, is a young roughneck whom learns the hardway about society's need for order.

Recomended, if you enjoy interesting, yet odd, use of language.

While this is by no means an easy read with its many odd words and phrases, it is nevertheless one of the most incredible books ever. Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange tells the horroring tale of young Alex as he partakes in acts of ultra-violence and his reform which sends him right back to his evil ways. The novel presents the question of: Is it better to be made to be good or is it better to have the choice of being good? Would also recommend THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD. Don't like violence, murder, hate, and the ugly side of human nature? Then don't read the newspaper or the bible either.

That a book written partially in fictional slang can still be so accessible speaks to the author's immense talent. The only blemish on the novel is the final chapter (the one omitted from the original American publication). I hate to say it, as I'm all for reading a book as the author intended, but removing the last chapter imparts a greater impact on the reader. Regardless, this is a great book.

This book renewed my love of literature. Burgess' writes in a way that always sounds fresh, no matter what. The language is obviously intense. If you liked Kubrick's masterpiece, you'll love this.

Although when I first started this book I had no idea what was going on, by the end I was flipping the pages eager to find out what happens. Burgess writes in a casual Russian-fusion slang, which at first is very hard to understand but as the words are used in different contexts, a dictionary is not necessary. The foray into this violent kid's mind is fascinating, and Burgess's idea of the future is the perfect setting for this story. If you liked the idea of 1984, but felt bored by the lack of action in the book, A Clockwork Orange is the perfect fix. This book is not for the weak of heart!

Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange has become a sort of underground classic. It is read and loved by young men all over the world.

The novel is written in a language all its own; a hybrid of English and Russian slang. Burgess called this language Nadsat. It can be, at first, difficult. However, once the reader acclimates themself to the rythyms of the words Nadsat comes alive. The language of this novel is electric. Burgess was very interested in music, and was a composer. In this novel he uses words as Mozart would have used musical notes.

A Clockwork Orange is the story of Alex, a young criminal. He and his "droogs" (friends) roam the streets robbing, beating, and raping the people they encounter. Alex is quite satisfied with his life, he has everything he needs.

Things begin to turn bad for Alex after a midnight raid on a house in the country. He is captured by the police and his friends turn on him. Soon Alex finds himself in prison, where he is offered the "Ludovico treatment". This treatment will garuntee that he never breaks another law.

Alex agrees to the treatment in exchange for release from prison. This is the point in the story where Burgess' talent really begins to show. It is at this point that the reader fully realizes that Burgess is not simply telling a story; he is showing us a metaphor for the world we inhabit.

The Ludovico treatment turns Alex into a clockwork orange: he appears to be a living creature, but is merely a machine. Alex, stripped of free will is unable to defend himself. And, because he cannot choose evil, any good he may do is meaningless.

In this book Burgess first creates a loathsome character. Then draws us into his world, making us care a bit about what happens to him. He then tears down that characters world, to show how easily our world can be torn down.

This is a startling, and brilliant book. It is not for the squeamish, nor the easily offended.

By the way, if you purchase this book be sure to look for the European edition which is one chapter longer than the American version. Another terrific purchase I made off Amazon -- completely unrelated to Clockwork Orange -- is "The Losers' Club: Complete Restored Edition" by Richard Perez, a very engaging, substantial and funny book

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Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange has become a sort of underground classic. It is read and loved by young men all over the world.

The novel is written in a language all its own; a hybrid of English and Russian slang. Burgess called this language Nadsat. It can be, at first, difficult. However, once the reader acclimates themself to the rythyms of the words Nadsat comes alive. The language of this novel is electric. Burgess was very interested in music, and was a composer. In this novel he uses words as Mozart would have used musical notes.

A Clockwork Orange is the story of Alex, a young criminal. He and his "droogs" (friends) roam the streets robbing, beating, and raping the people they encounter. Alex is quite satisfied with his life, he has everything he needs.

Things begin to turn bad for Alex after a midnight raid on a house in the country. He is captured by the police and his friends turn on him. Soon Alex finds himself in prison, where he is offered the "Ludovico treatment". This treatment will garuntee that he never breaks another law.

Alex agrees to the treatment in exchange for release from prison. This is the point in the story where Burgess' talent really begins to show. It is at this point that the reader fully realizes that Burgess is not simply telling a story; he is showing us a metaphor for the world we inhabit.

The Ludovico treatment turns Alex into a clockwork orange: he appears to be a living creature, but is merely a machine. Alex, stripped of free will is unable to defend himself. And, because he cannot choose evil, any good he may do is meaningless.

In this book Burgess first creates a loathsome character. Then draws us into his world, making us care a bit about what happens to him. He then tears down that characters world, to show how easily our world can be torn down.

This is a startling, and brilliant book. It is not for the squeamish, nor the easily offended.

By the way, if you purchase this book be sure to look for the European edition which is one chapter longer than the American version. Another terrific purchase I made off Amazon -- completely unrelated to Clockwork Orange -- is "The Losers' Club: Complete Restored Edition" by Richard Perez, a very engaging, substantial and funny book.