Brave New World (1932) - Aldous Huxley
If state violence breaks the spirit of society and people choose comfort over truth, we could end up with a "soma"-sedated civilisation similar to that of Huxley's Brave New World.
You can see why BNW is often quoted alongside dystopian classics like Orwell's 1984 and Zamyatin's We, because here individuality is obsolete, intensive social conditioning is inescapable, and the state machine rules supreme.
The book's hypocritical State Controller defends this system, musing:
You can see why BNW is often quoted alongside dystopian classics like Orwell's 1984 and Zamyatin's We, because here individuality is obsolete, intensive social conditioning is inescapable, and the state machine rules supreme.
The book's hypocritical State Controller defends this system, musing:
What need have we of repose when our minds and bodies continue to delight in activity? Of consolation, when we have soma? Of something immovable, when there is the social order?
The book leans towards a rejection of this sedated society but provides no clear-cut alternative solutions, instead encouraging the reader to contemplate humanity for themselves.
The plot itself is thin and the characters uninspiring, but that's not why you should read this book. Read it for Huxley's vision of our future, which is cleverly rendered, disconcertingly perceptive, and increasingly present.
Quality: 8
Plot: 5
Style: 7
Entertainment: 6
Depth: 9
= 7.0
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