Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

[King Bob]

One of those books I've seen a million times but never read, so I thought I would. And it really wasn't very good. In the future the world government makes everyone happy and a bit stupid, with plenty of drugs and sex and entertainment, and no family attachments since everyone is grown in labs and designed for their level in life. A "savage" who grew up outside this culture on the edge of a Hopi pueblo gets taken to civilization. It ends badly of course. As science fiction it fails miserably. It could just be mocking a desire for comfort and ease, and how that leads to emptiness. Or parodying the insulated English upper class? I'm not sure. The characters are flat, and the women (few) are childish and mainly there for the men to have sex with.

Not recommended. Maybe at the time it was significant, but not so much now.

[Drunk Monk]

Interesting. 

I loved it back in the day. The ending really hung with me how the cardinal directions of the rotating hanging body were retold in a way that simulated the rate of spin. I remember thinking what a great writing device that was. 

I wasn't planning to go back for it and now, even less so. Sad to hear my memories are tarnished yet again but alas, what a drag it is growing old.

[King Bob]

I thought the Savage wasn't an effective alternative to the new society because he's tainted by the weird Christianity of the Pueblo. So they're soft and weak and he's hard and weak.

Incidentally, the Savage is named John, and at one point is called John Savage, which is no doubt where the actor got his name.

[Greg]

I read the book back in the day. I don't remember it at all.

[Drunk Monk]

I forgot the Christian vibe. It's been decades...