Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

At the beginning of the school year, one of my students did a very fascinating presentation on Brave New World, and I decided that I would read it.

I am so happy that the school where I teach has copies of this book in the book room, because if I had spent money on this book, I would be quite unhappy.

Brave New World is a satirical novel that is attempting to look at the dangers of a totalitarian government controlled society.

In this novel:

"People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can't get. They're well off; they're safe; they're never ill; they're never afraid of death; they are blissfully ignorant of passion and old age; they are plagued with no mothers or fathers; they've got no wives, or children, or lovers to feel strongly about; they are so conditioned that they are practically can't help behaving as they ought to behave. And if anything should go wrong, there's soma." (Brave New World P. 220)

Does this quote remind you of another book that I wrote about? The Giver......

Both novel deals with the theme of a society that is totally controlled by the government. In The Giver, the plot is driven by the characters, and I was able to completely identify with the characters  and this style of writing assisted me in liking this novel a lot. However, Brave New World is plot driven, and I found that the details that were given about the society could have been condensed to move the story line alone. I really did not get into this novel until near the end, and by that time, I had already lost interest.

This book is highly respected in the literary world and is read in schools around the globe. So, to be in the know, I suggest reading this book. But, definitely do not pick up this book to read for pleasure....

If you have read this book...holler at me!

The Giver by Lois Lowry

I recommend this book for all readers, but especially adolescences.

The ease in which Lois uses language draws the reader into this book from the very first page.

This book, because of his futuristic theme, reminds me of the novels The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, and the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. All three are incredible stories that anyone would enjoy, but especially middle school aged children.

In The Giver, the people live in a society "where nothing was ever unexpected. Or inconvenient. Or unusual. The life without color, pain, or past." As I was reading this book, I was trying to image this world, and I couldn't. A world that is devoid of love, color, choices, feelings, would literally be hell on earth. At first, I thought, it might be good to have little to no uncertainty, but I quickly reminded myself that vulnerability, which we sometimes call uncertainty, helps to build character. And, building character is a darn good thing.

In The Giver, the children are observed and around the age of twelve, they are given a profession that they will do until they are old.

Jonas, the main character, is chosen to a very honored position, but the position requires him to carry the burdens of everyone in the community. (What a huge responsibility!)

This book gave me a lot to think about: the importance of differences, choices, emotions etc.

It's not a very long or difficult text, but it is packed with lots to think about!

Read, Read, Read this quick, splendid book!

My next read is Light in August by non-other than the great William Faulkner.

It's Thursday, it's sunny, and I am HAPPY!

Enjoy this day, My People.....