Brave New World reviewed

Aldous Huxley was an English writer and philosopher who wrote nearly 50 books and many essays, poems, and articles. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature multiple times. In his most famous work, the 1932 novel Brave New World, he presents his vision of a dystopia. In this dystopian society, citizens have achieved stability and happiness through technology and drugs, but at the cost of their individuality, creativity, and meaningful relationships.

Let’s examine this dystopian classic in more detail to understand why its themes are still relevant today.

Brave New World—The synopsis

Brave New World takes place in a futuristic society called the World State in 2540 CE, expressed as AF 632 in the novel. AF stands for “After Ford,” referring to Henry Ford, whose assembly line is considered god-like.

In the World State, children are created outside the womb in New London’s Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. As embryos, these children are sorted into a predetermined caste system based on their physical and mental excellence.

There are five castes or classes, ranging from the Alphas, who are bred to be leaders, to Epsilons, who are destined to be servants. The remaining classes include the Betas, Gammas, and Deltas. 

Besides being sorted into classes, children are conditioned not to feel strong emotions or foster individuality. They are also brainwashed into forced promiscuity and orgies and are discouraged from practicing monogamy.

If the people of World State stray away from their ordained path, they are given soma, a happiness-inducing drug. Since this life is all they’ve ever known, few people recognize there’s something wrong.

However, John, born away from this new world, has a strong sense of individuality. Although all books have been made inaccessible, he stumbles across a volume of Shakespeare, which changes his life.

Other notable characters include:

• Bernard Marx, an Alpha male who doesn’t fit in

• Helmholtz Watson, a college lecturer and Bernard’s friend

• Lenina Crowne, an object of desire for many characters

• Mustapha Mond, a World Controller and the most powerful character

• Linda, John’s mother

Brave New World—Our book review

In the world of social media crazes and endless Apple products that people can’t wait to get hold of, Brave New World is as relevant as ever. It shows a society that appears to be content. Yet, its satisfaction can only be achieved by sacrificing freedom, individuality, and personal responsibility.

Showing the dangers of technology, Huxley sends a message that it doesn’t have the power to save us, only doom us. This might be a controversial view in a world where technology rules many aspects of our lives, but it is worth exploring.

This novel will open your eyes to how consumer culture is used to manipulate people. It will also make you think about equality, fairness, and what utopia truly means.

However, there’s one thing to keep in mind. Although humorous at times, Brave New World touches on some disturbing themes, such as drug abuse, self-harm, and suicide. For this reason, readers are advised to check the content and trigger warnings before starting this book.

Brave New World is a must-read for anyone interested in dystopian literature and the dangers of totalitarianism. This compelling book is an insightful work of fiction that will leave a lasting impression.

Listen to Brave New World on Speechify Audiobooks

If you like science fiction and the world Huxley created, you’ll be happy to know that you can listen to Brave New World on Speechify.

Speechify is an audiobook platform with an ever-growing library of titles and excellent features for listeners. Besides Brave New World, you can listen to other notable Huxley’s works, as well as more gripping sci-fi stories.

Best of all, you can download Speechify for free and receive a complimentary premium title right away.

Will you choose Brave New World as your first Speechify audiobook? Download the app today.

FAQ

Is Brave New World a hard book to read?

Due to the topics it explores and the mature content, Brave New World is a relatively hard book to read, requiring some thought to fully digest the text.

What is Brave New World a critique of?

Brave New World is a critique of totalitarianism, consumerism, and an over-reliance on technology.

What was the point of Brave New World?

The main point of Brave New World was to serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a totalitarian society and the use of technology to manipulate people.

What is the main character like in Brave New World?

The main character in Brave New World, Bernard Marx, is depicted as an intelligent yet insecure non-conformist with a strong sense of individuality.

What is the difference between Brave New World and 1984?

Like George Orwell’s 1984, Brave New World contains just enough truth to be a real possibility of how our future may unfold. However, unlike 1984, there’s no violence in Brave New World. The world Huxley created is just as controlling and terrifying, but in a more indirect way. 

What is Brave New World’s message?

Brave New World warns against giving the government total control over new technologies. Huxley’s novel also warns individuals against prioritizing conformity and happiness over individuality and freedom.

Is Brave New World a dystopian novel?

Yes, Brave New World is a dystopian novel.

Has Brave New World been adapted for TV?

Yes, Brave New World has been adapted for TV several times. The most recent adaptation was a TV series released in 2020, produced by the streaming service Peacock. The series stars Alden Ehrenreich, Harry Lloyd, Jessica Brown Findlay, Demi Moore, and Hannah John-Kamen. You can currently watch it on Netflix.

What are the differences between the Brave New World novel and the TV series?

In the TV show, the Savage Reservation was turned into the Savage Lands Theme Park. Many TV reviews suggest this was done to avoid the offensive elements of the original story line.