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svmreads's Reviews (412)
This is the type of book I wish I read before taking AP US History instead of the biography about Thomas Jefferson I had to read.
This book covers a wide breadth of detail, discussing the origins and consequences of colonization, as well as uprisings and Indigenous figures I had never heard of before. Two activist movements this book covered in great detail was the occupation of Alcatraz in the 1960s, which I hadn’t heard of until reading this book, and Standing Rock, which is covered brilliantly in the conclusion. One thing I wish the book had discussed more were the boarding schools, which were mentioned in half of Chapter 9. I want to research those more after finishing this book.
This book was an excellent read and I would give it 4/5 stars. While I did read the young readers’ edition, it really can be read at any age, and you will be sure to learn something new from it.
This book covers a wide breadth of detail, discussing the origins and consequences of colonization, as well as uprisings and Indigenous figures I had never heard of before. Two activist movements this book covered in great detail was the occupation of Alcatraz in the 1960s, which I hadn’t heard of until reading this book, and Standing Rock, which is covered brilliantly in the conclusion. One thing I wish the book had discussed more were the boarding schools, which were mentioned in half of Chapter 9. I want to research those more after finishing this book.
This book was an excellent read and I would give it 4/5 stars. While I did read the young readers’ edition, it really can be read at any age, and you will be sure to learn something new from it.
A Clockwork Orange: A Real Horrorshow of a Book
Where do I even begin with this book? I will start with the fact that before I read the book, I saw the movie, as I am a huge fan of Stanley Kubrick’s works. Admittedly, watching the movie before reading the book made the book reading easier in a sense, especially at the beginning, as I had a more clear idea of what was going on.
That being said, the book is an absolutely necessary read and is now one of my all time favorites, ranking alongside Brave New World for best dystopian fiction books of all time. Burgess displays mastery in penning scenes so revolting that you feel as if your innards have been ripped out and thrown on the ground. While I knew the plot generally before approaching the book, there were scenes that impacted me much more reading them than watching them, namely when Alex is “cured” and licks the man’s boot, and the scene where he is driven to madness by the music and jumps out the window.
When addressing Clockwork Orange, it is necessary to address the Chapter 21 controversy - does it detract from the book or is it necessary? The story with and without Chapter 21 definitely delivers two different impacts. Without it, the end takes on a much more pessimistic tone, as Alex goes back to his own ways and it is hinted that redemption for him will be impossible. The addition of Chapter 21 places Alex in a more sympathetic light, as he tires of ultraviolence and seeks to make a family after his run-in with Pete and Pete’s wife. I think a reading of the story with and without Chapter 21 is necessary, but I disagree with people who say that the final chapter detracts from the book’s impact. I find it actually reinforces the book’s themes and makes what happened to Alex much more tragic. Sometimes the only means of redemption are learning from your mistakes, growing up, and moving on, a natural occurrence that cannot be forced. It also makes Georgie’s death (RIP Georgie) much more impactful, as you see that if Georgie had lived, maybe he would have followed in the footsteps of Alex and Pete.
Overall, I loved this book, even though at times it was total nightmare fuel. Horrifying, thought-provoking, and compelling, it is an absolute must-read. Also, I can’t wait to watch the movie again!
Where do I even begin with this book? I will start with the fact that before I read the book, I saw the movie, as I am a huge fan of Stanley Kubrick’s works. Admittedly, watching the movie before reading the book made the book reading easier in a sense, especially at the beginning, as I had a more clear idea of what was going on.
That being said, the book is an absolutely necessary read and is now one of my all time favorites, ranking alongside Brave New World for best dystopian fiction books of all time. Burgess displays mastery in penning scenes so revolting that you feel as if your innards have been ripped out and thrown on the ground. While I knew the plot generally before approaching the book, there were scenes that impacted me much more reading them than watching them, namely when Alex is “cured” and licks the man’s boot, and the scene where he is driven to madness by the music and jumps out the window.
When addressing Clockwork Orange, it is necessary to address the Chapter 21 controversy - does it detract from the book or is it necessary? The story with and without Chapter 21 definitely delivers two different impacts. Without it, the end takes on a much more pessimistic tone, as Alex goes back to his own ways and it is hinted that redemption for him will be impossible. The addition of Chapter 21 places Alex in a more sympathetic light, as he tires of ultraviolence and seeks to make a family after his run-in with Pete and Pete’s wife. I think a reading of the story with and without Chapter 21 is necessary, but I disagree with people who say that the final chapter detracts from the book’s impact. I find it actually reinforces the book’s themes and makes what happened to Alex much more tragic. Sometimes the only means of redemption are learning from your mistakes, growing up, and moving on, a natural occurrence that cannot be forced. It also makes Georgie’s death (RIP Georgie) much more impactful, as you see that if Georgie had lived, maybe he would have followed in the footsteps of Alex and Pete.
Overall, I loved this book, even though at times it was total nightmare fuel. Horrifying, thought-provoking, and compelling, it is an absolute must-read. Also, I can’t wait to watch the movie again!
