A Clockwork Orange

Written by Anthony Burgess

Narrated by Tom Hollander

A vicious fifteen-year-old droog is the central character of this 1963 classic. In Anthony Burgess's nightmare vision of the future, where the criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal invented slang that brilliantly renders his and his friends' social pathology. A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom. And when the state undertakes to reform Alex to "redeem" him, the novel asks, "At what cost?"

This edition includes the controversial last chapter not published in the first edition and Burgess's introduction "A Clockwork Orange Resucked."

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 12, 2007
• ISBN: 9780061450877

Anthony Burgess

Anthony Burgess (d. 1664) was a member of the Westminster Assembly and pastor in Sutton Coldfield.

Reviews for A Clockwork Orange

[soniaandree_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a very puzzling and interesting dystopian novel: the main character, Alex, leads a life of violence with his 'droogs' (i.e. fellow teenager friends) and is finally caught. He uses a special language, changing the order of words in sentences but also mixing English with Russian words, a language called Nadsat. A translation of Russian terms is included in the book to help readers. The narrator is Alex and the whole narrative makes for a weird semi-humorous semi-cynical tone. Alex is criticising society and everyone in it: his family, so-called friends, politicians etc. The question to ask ourselves would be that if Alex is the result of this society, trying to change him won't change society, only the character. Once he is himself again, maybe he will come back to his old occupation and violence. The novel is pretty short and is worth reading.

[ca8bookwyrm · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I finished this book, but it felt like an obligation to do so. I did not enjoy it. It feels like the kind of book you're not supposed to enjoy, though. It felt like a morality tale. Yes, I suppose at this point it is a classic. And yes, there is enough action in the book that it's readable for the modern reader, unlike some very slow paced older classics. However, the slang-talk which the narrator uses just grated on my nerves. (Yes, it's more-or-less understandable and very consistent, once you get used to it. I just didn't like it.) I also didn't sympathize with the main character at all, and for me that's a deal breaker when it comes to enjoying a book. If this one had been a longer book, or had taken me longer to finish, I probably would have returned it to the library unfinished.

[capiam1234 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A glimpse at a dystopian future of youth violence. The slang is tough to grasp at first but slowly it blends well. There were a couple of problems with how the youth are portrayed but overall an excellent story.

[williamawright · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A "must read" book.

[dougcornelius_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm reading some classic books that I've missed reading over the years. The slang that dominates this book could be hard to read. The audiobook version makes it much clearer, especialy with the excellend reading by Mr. Hollander.

[sadiebabie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found it quite annoying at first, with all the made up slang that is used. But once I broke the code I got into it. Its a tough read...but fairly rewarding overall. I found its strongest element was the fact it was written decades ago, but was still so relevant. Give it a go.

[hredwards · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I actually found myself enjoying this much to my surprise.I'd always thought this was an awful story from things I had heard, but it was very interesting.

[goonergirl1982 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've had A Clockwork Orange in my "Must Read" pile for years, having longed to read it but being concerned for the level of violence it allegedly contained. I didn't need to worry. Yes, there was violent scenes, but the book wasn't violent for the sake of being violent.The story is narrated by Alex, who - with his "droogs" - spends his days beating and raping innocent civilians. This is set against the backdrop of a totalitarian government keen to show that it is tough on crime. When one of his victims dies, Alex is arrested and incarcerated. It is in prison where he is subjected to the new "Ludovico Technique" which forces him to reform.There lies the moral dilemma at the heart of the story. The Ludovico treatment forces the change on Alex, rather than letting him make the decision to change. If human beings don't have the ability to choose whether to do good or do harm, then that would make them robots or machines ready for someone to programme them to go. Rather like Clockwork Oranges, really.

[toongirl81 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

One of the pain in the ass things about knowing good writing when you see it is that sometimes, often even, you have to acknowledge that something is well-written even though the ideology of the piece doesn't gel with your own personal beliefs. Such is the case with A Clockwork Orange. This particular edition supplies a half-snarky, half-whining introduction by Burgess where he complains about the book's success and rails against the injustice of the New York publishing scene in the 60's which forced him to cut the last chapter of the novel. Finally in 1986 it became available to us pitiable yanks in its full glory. Burgess uses the introduction to stress the importance to the story arc that the narrator--a psychotic criminal named Alex--should make an emotional shift in the heretofore omitted final chapter, with Alex opting on his own to forego the life of ultra-violence (as he calls it) in favor of looking forward to the future.Is it though? Really? This last chapter of minor redemption for Alex reads like an effort to pull a punch long after the opponent has been beaten senseless. The point of the novel was never about making Alex likable or even all that relatable. The point Burgess seemed to be making is that regardless of how ignoble and sinful the criminal, there are certain punishments or tactics that a civilized government should not be in the business of doing. The ends do not in all cases justify the means. (Burgess also appears to offer a full dose of red scare throughout his seemingly communist dystopia.)Reading this book was a bit like having my hair pulled by some sort of ill-tempered child. At first the relentless slang was off-putting and too self-congratulatory by half, but after the culture shock wore off, I had to admit that Burgess's use of language in order to quickly ground the reader in an unfamiliar world is impressive. His character development is believable, his craft of setting is finely detailed, and even if certain elements leaned much too heavy on clumsy allegories, the experience was overall engrossing. Likewise, I found the complexity of the governmental ethics of the story to be engaging.It's really too bad then that I would never read this book again, nor recommend it to anyone I know. I only give it two stars out a begrudging respect for the author's indisputable talent. Maybe Burgess lost me before I even began, when he wrote in his introduction "My own healthy inheritance of original sin comes out in the book and I enjoyed raping and ripping by proxy." It's hard for me to get behind someone's rape fantasy. And the violence and mayhem that the young protagonist rains down upon the unsuspecting and un-initiating bystanders in the first 3rd of the book is never truly questioned or condemned. Oh, Burgess assures us in his introduction that the previously missing chapter will give us the kind of character-growth we were looking for in previous, edited editions. But upon reaching the end of the book, I find myself somehow disgusted beyond my original visceral revulsion to Alex's behavior in the first chapters. The final chapter, which feels tacked on and entirely authorial (Burgess should have thanked his American editor for cutting it instead of resenting him) gives us this notion to hang our hats on: Alex's violence was the juvenile pastime of youth. A kind of trumped up version of "boys will be boys," if you will. Once Alex grows up, he grows bored by the thug life and he chooses to put away childish things and look to the future, to daydream about his son (whom he already can picture as a murdering rapist. And his son's son. Because hey, they've got to learn these life lessons on their own). Burgess in his opening remarks, all but comes out in favor of this as all the redemption Alex needs. If anything, it is this tone that I personally can't stomach. I'll try to abstain from going off on a rant about my personal beliefs here, but when the man behind the curtain, a.k.a. the author, suggests that he himself finds the extreme violence of the book to be a lamentable but understandable indiscretion of youth, then if your anything like me you have to go have a cold drink and remind yourself that there are a lot of good people out in the world.

[cestovatela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Original and thought-provoking.

[magadri-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is marvelous! The slang was so much fun, and after reading the book, I actually caught myself thinking in Nadsat at times. The plot is captivating and the characters are unforgettable. Though the ending was different than the movie ending, I still found it to be more than satisfying. Magnificent!

[seawolfsanctuary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You wrote: It was the language that first struck me when I read Burgess' fantastic 'A Clockwork Orange'. A sip of moloko at pee and em's before strolling to rendexvous with my devochkas (apologies for any mistakes there, I'm writing from memory). To create these words which somehow seem to fit perfectly with the voice from the film is no less than genius. His ordeal is strolled through the book, perhaps a little slowly - where it seems slow is, for example, the first couple of pages which simply discribe the scene and people he is with. Contering this, though, it really does bring to life that period of time. It my seem long but it's worth it. The questions and thoughts this book raises are still relevant today and will be sfor some time. Crime and punishment always carries two sides to every case and this story is one that will never loose it's social and thought-provoking touch. Couldn't put it down.

[thefallingalice · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

„Was soll´s denn nun sein, hm?“ Alex sitzt mit seinen Droogs in der Korova Bar und trinkt einen Moloko plus.So beginnt die Geschichte. Ihren Lebensinhalt finden sie in der Nacht, wenn sie ihren Brutalitäts- und Sexualtrieb ausleben können. Das ist Alex´Welt. Er ist der Anführer. Doch dann lehnen sich seine Droogs gegen ihn auf und verraten ihn in einer schändlichen Nacht. So landet unser Erzähler in Staatsgefängnis, das ihn nur weitere Brutalität lehrt bis Alex in ein neuartiges Programm gesteckt wird, das Gewalttäter für immer heilen soll.Alex liebt klassische Musik. Trotz seiner Droogs ist er ein Einzelgänger. Er lebt von Gewalt, sie gibt ihm das, was ihm sein Leben sonst nicht geben kann. Im Gefängnis dann erlebt er einen Wandel, doch nach seiner Entlassung nach zwei Jahren muss er feststellen, dass die Welt sich nicht zum Guten verändert hat.Die drei Kapitel dieses Buches beschreiben drei Lebensabschnitte des Alex. Sie beginnen stilistisch gleich. Es wird eine Frage gestellt, die immer wieder wiederholt wird. („Was soll´s denn nun sein?“ 1. Teil). Dazwischen umreißt der Erzähler die momentanen Umstände und Begebenheiten. Im ersten Teil ist Alex der draufgängerische Veck, im zweiten Teil wird er gezwungenermaßen einem Wandel unterworfen und der dritte Teil beschreibt sein neues Leben in Freiheit.Apropo „Veck“. Dieses Buch lebt von einer ganz eigenen Sprache, der sogenannten Nadsat. Eine Jugendsprache, die der Autor erfand, um einen gewissen emotionalen Abstand zu der Gewalt und Brutalität dieses Buches zu schaffen. Ein eigenes Wörterbuch dazu gibt es hier: http://the-clockwork.de.tl/Nadsat-W.oe.rterbuch.htmGerade das macht es am Anfang ein bisschen schwierig, dem Buch zu folgen bzw. richtig einsteigen zu können. Aber sobald man sich auf Alex einlässt und trotz dessen, dass er im Prinzip doch ein Schläger, Einbrecher und Mörder ist, findet man ihn sympathisch und spürt die Ungerechtigkeit, die ihm in diesem System widerfährt.

[mashak99 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Don't let the over-styllized movie fool you- this is LITERATURE in the best sense of the world. It takes a while to get used to the language, heavily spiced with "slang" which is mostly phonetic Russian words or roots, but after a while you lose yourself in the story. It's all the good stuff- individual vs. society, free will vs. coercion, and the one piece that's entirely lost in the movie, namely growing up. I loved the books original ending, which was cut off by the American publishers and therefore missing from the movie. I will not give it away except that to me it adds a new dimension and leaves the reader in a much better, if less "sophisticated," place.

[trayceetee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was AMAZING!!! I was nervous, at first, because the language is one that Burgess seems to have made up to support the style of his protagonist. However, I was able to understand it after a few pages... I felt like I was reading Shakespeare, in a way--I've always felt that his iambic pentameter takes some getting used to, as well, but once you're submerged in it, it all flows quite naturally. I found the same with this book--in fact, there were times I found myself thinking things (about happenings in my own life) in Burgess' language!

I saw Kubrick's movie several years ago, and while I found it interesting, I'm not sure I'd have ever watched it again. I don't think I *got* it, if you know what I mean. Well, I understood the story much better this time, when I was able to read it at my own pace and sort of absorb it. One thing I REALLY appreciated was that the edition I found (same as the one pictured above) included the final chapter originally written by Burgess.... that chapter was included in the original book released in the UK, but in the US, it was removed. (There are arguments as to why....) Upon re-releasing the book in the late '80's, they agreed to include that final chapter. I felt that it actually enhanced the story--I came away from it feeling much better than I probably would have if I'd read it with that final chapter omitted.

I'm tempted to go back and watch the movie again.....

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting exercise. The novel works as a sort of parable but not as a real novel. All is seen through the eyes of the protagonist Alex -- Your Humble Narrator -- and his matter-of-fact immersion in violence is disconcerting at first, but becomes boring and routine for the reader, much as it did for Alex. By the end he is wanting a different life and I think that was more a matter of boredom with the old than with any particular aversion to violence. He just wanted something different. An OK book, but I wouldn't go out of my way to read it again.

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Anthology of short stories with the title piece the largest. Over shadowed by the film of the same name. I am not sure that conventional behaviour will always kill creativity. if that is the case, then LOTR and the Narnia Stories didn't happen. Artists however are rather paranoid about their creative streak, for that can always disappear...in this case, the paranoia led to a good though mannered parable.

[borosalexandra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Clockwork Orange is a dystopian fiction written by Anthony Burges. Since its publication, in 1962, it was the subject of several attacks in many countries. The story is dystopian, because it is set in an imagined future place, probably in Britain, where the State does everything to put pressure on people and deprive them of their free will. The government also tries to restrain youth violence, crime and abuse, which would not be a problem per se, but the method applied leaves something to be desired. The story is narrated by the central character, Alex, in English-Russian slang, which makes reading quite difficult and confusing if you are not familiar with Russian. On the other hand, I think it gives the book a sort of uniqueness, and after a few pages some words are understandable in the context. Alex is a fifteen-year old teenager, the leader of a gang whose violent actions probably make you despondent, but the way Alex is cured by the State is much more outrageous. I am sure some people think that Alex deserves what he went through, but I think that in this case the end does not justify the means. In particular when the goal is to control and brainwash people. I would not say that the story is about the battle of good and evil. Although Alex is the main character, he is not a protagonist because he does not represent good because of his actions. However, it is rather a struggle between morals and immoral represented by the State. The title is absolutely inventive. It refers to the mechanical force (clockwork) that is applied to a living organism (orange) to manipulate and shape it against its will. In this case, Alex was that orange, and I find it quite ironic that in the second chapter it is Alex who asks what Clockwork Orange means. Besides violence, crime, brainwashing and manipulation, we can witness happiness and a chance for normal life in Pete’s character. Although he was member of Alex’s gang, he managed to change and start a new life. All in all, I think it is a fantastic book which makes people think about morals and free choice among others. I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in brainwashing and you like people-against-the State stories.

[abigail_alsmeyer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess, is a classic piece of literature about a futuristic society that has been controversial since its’ release date. It is narrated by Alex, a fifteen-year-old boy who commits acts of “ultra-violence” once the sun goes down. Due to the very descriptive scenes of rape and brutality, it has become a banned book on many parents’ lists. Through Alex’s dialogue Burgess uses Nadsat, the futuristic teenage slang, which only adds to the psychological tendencies of the characters. A Clockwork Orange is a brilliantly written piece of work that depicts what society could turn into one day, as do most dystopian novels such as Fahrenheit 451, and 1984. The purpose is to warn the readers what could happen to the world if it spirals out of control. It is an informative book with an interesting plot that keeps the reader involved and questioning the entire course of the adventure. Through the use of characterization and the theme, Burgess’ terrifying dystopia has become a must-read on any students’ list.Alex is the leader of his small gang of “droogs”, or friends, in wreaking havoc on innocent people of the city. Throughout the novel, Alex and his droogs constantly use Nadsat as their way of communication. The reader begins to realize that Nadsat is the immature and childish way to speak, as Alex uses it to the very end of the book. His mindset is to always inflict pain, wanting to get into an argument, and cause trouble. As the people around him begin to grow up and move on, such as Dim and George, Alex continues to dwell on the past. There are numerous themes throughout the novel, but the one that sticks with the reader until the end is the case of “curing” and what “cured” means. Burgess has the readers believe that Alex has been cured of his wicked ways when in reality, the intentions still lurk inside him.The doctors that “cured” Alex were not so healthy in their own mindsets. Burgess shows his audience that we should be wary of ourselves.A Clockwork Orange does contain mature content, but it is so artistic and should definitely be recommended for students.

[jnoorder · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

If the author doesn't use english , I won't read it. I read about 5 pages and that was enough for me!

[darkonelh3730 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love, love love this! I have read it several times, including the script for the movie as well.

[billycongo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read the 12 chapter version. I don't even like the idea of that 13th chapter. Kubrick based his movie on the 12 chapter version. What's this about redemption or happy endings? If I upset you with my declaration, then all appy polly loggies to you.

[Matthew G · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I admit this was a difficult listen because the author has created this slang language that is very very British. But the reader is very great at reading it and he embodies the character perfectly!

[Steven · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Definitely one of the best controversial books on coming of age. This has the "lost" 21st chapter, which changes everything you know about Alex.

[over.the.edge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

# 5 of 100 Classics Challenge

A Clockwork Orange🍒🍒🍒🍒
By Anthony Burgess
1962

At 15, Alex was a terror. A mean spirited "droog"-a gang of young boys who would rob and beat innocent people and vandalize property, with no provocation and even less remorse. The slang invented by the Droogs symbolizes the evil, bleak and malicious tone of their thoughts and acts. While in prison, Alex is subjected to a controversial drug, Ludovico, as a means to reform him. This drug injected daily , along with forced watching of films of violence over and over were the elements of this reform.

P.106 "It may not be nice to be good, little 6655321 (Alexs identity in prison).It may be horrible to be good.....What does God want? Does God want goodness or the choice of goodness? Is a man who chooses bad perhaps in some way better than a man who has the good imposed upon him?"

Good vs Evil. Is there a choice? What is the cost?
Fantastic book that will make you ponder....

[bobbybslax · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The unique vocabulary will certainly turn away some, but for others it will be an interesting challenge. (There's only about 20 or so words that are frequently used throughout the book, though.) 'A Clockwork Orange' is a compelling philosophical idea told through the eyes of Alex, a violent teenager who is punished by a violent authority. I tend to be less of a cynic about stories, so I recommend to read the book with the last chapter included as Burgess intended.

[vincentdarlage · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an impressive novel - it was thought-provoking and idea-inspiring. I don't really have anything to add that hasn't been said much better by so many others who have analyzed this book, except that I was impressed.

[scolgo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Was glad to get my rookers on this one. I mostly stayed on my sharries while my glazzies fair ate it up like a tasty bit of kleb with some jammiwam. It's a dobby raskazz with a dorogoy message. The Nadsat is a bit of a rabbit to wrap one's gulliver around. At first it near drove me bezoomy but after a raz I began to pony it better. There's a fair amount of the ultra-violence and plenty of the red, red krovvy being plesked round. There's even a few smecks & guffs for those who enjoy that type of vesch. I'm going to itty off to viddy the sinny of this now.Ok, so once you get past the weird made-up language, you will find a timeless and disturbing classic. You don't really need the glossary of made-up words too much. If you just go with the stream-of-consciousness delivery, the gist of the story can be gleaned by the context. Definitely a book to be read more than once.

[J. Tapia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

D o p e

[ted_newell-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tackled it in university off-time, dropped it, read it in past 4 years all through. The preface by Burgess says what he's trying to do.