Anthony Burgess - A clockwork orange (01-082)

[gerbie]

Anthony Burgess - A clockwork orange (01-082)

Apparently this is a cult classic. The movie was controversial. I have heard this one mentioned as 'the best book of all times' by more than one person. If you read well, my scepticism is visible in those first few sentences. As a book addict it still took me nearly two weeks of train journeys back and forth to work to finish the 149 pages. Pathetically slow. I fell asleep a few times while reading it. I don't see the fuzz at all.

Soon enough the choice of words of Alex, the main character, starts getting very annoying and the story isn't that impressive at that moment either. The first part where he and his mates (droogs) are little criminals and beat up (filly about) innocent people (vecks) nowadays can't bring any shock to anybody anymore.

The second part, with Alex (your humble narrator) in jail is plain boring, it isn't until the third part where things are becoming interesting. The newly introduced Ludovic's technique is tested on him, basically a human variation on Pavlov's dogs. Finally in the last part the book starts making any sense. It becomes a bit critical of the world and its people, it shows how small people really are. If it wasn't for the encore, this book would have been a major disappointment to me.

Perhaps I am wrong, perhaps I should read this as if it still is 1962, the year this book came out. Maybe in 35 years time somebody will review Trainspotting the way I have reviewed 'A clockwork orange'. Maybe not. Perhaps I should see the movie. Maybe I won't bother anymore.

Comments

Hi Gerbie

[eclipse69.livejournal.com]

My name is Ray, and I read your journal because of Maaike. Wow, you are Dutch, like Pink Floyd, Radiohead and baseball. I like all those qualities and more. I know another Dutchman who likes baseball, but he recently moved to Oslo, Norway to be witht he woman he married. Anyway, I wanted to introduce myself. I have seen 4/5 of CLOCKWORK ORANGE the movie. I think I may have to seek out the book.

Tot straks,

Ray

Re: Hi Gerbie

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I would move to Oslo as well, considering the ladies I have seen from Norway. Unfortunately none of them has invited me yet. One did, but as she hasn't answered any emails since, I assume she has withdrawn the invitation.

Did you miss the end or the beginning of the movie, was it worth watching? I am still doubting, I've got to see something by Kubrik I guess.

Why the Dutch and German references?

btw, it is a compliment when Maaike refers to your journal as an addiction! I read you've beaten me to the 'to do' list though :-(

[eclipse69.livejournal.com]

I would watch it if I were you. The UK band Heaven 17 took their name from this movie, but I never confirmed this. I missed both the beginning and the end. I came home one night, roommate #1 was watching it. I was too drunk to pay strict attention, mind wandering all over the place. It was roommate #2's DVD. Roommate #2 no longer lives with us, but I'm sure he'd let me borrow it if I asked him. He lives nearby. So that's why I never have seen A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. I tried to watch it when I was like 21. I rented it, bring it home, and I was so disturbed by it at that time in my life, that I shut it off. I did the same thing when I tried to watch NATURAL BORN KILLERS for the first time.
Why the Dutch and German references? I like both nations. I have traveled around both nations. I have a few friends in both places. I would like to be able to speak both languages. I want to master as many languages as possible. I speak English and Spanish, some Portugese and Italian, some German and Dutch (not very well). Practice makes perfect they say.

Re:

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Entonces si tu me ensenas hablar Portugues, yo puedo ayudarte en practicar tu aleman y neerlandes!

!Que bueno!

[eclipse69.livejournal.com]

Yo necesito a practicar mis extranjeros que mucho a yo puedo. Gracias mi amigo nuevo.

Re: !Que bueno!

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

A sus ordenes caballero.

Bolshy horrorshow book...

[frannywentzel.livejournal.com]

By the by which version are you reading? The British version had 21 chapters, the American (which the film is based on) 20? The US publishers didn't like the 21st chapter, thought it was a cop-out. As Anthony Burgess described it in a Rolling Stone mag from the mid-80's, lopping off the 21st chapter turned the book from Kennedy-esque to Nixonian story about the ability of man to make moral choices for himself - and Nixonian was a bad thing. But as the article intimates, he never really seemed to care that much about the story and was somewhat annoyed at the attention it's garnered over the years.

Re: Bolshy horrorshow book...

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I was fairly sure I read the British version, I doublechecked. Yes, 21 chapters, 3 times 7. I have had similar reactions, never knew that there were different versions. The third part was most certainly the part that made it worth reading, I'm still not extremely impressed, but it wasn't loss of time either (very few books are actually).

Re: Bolshy horrorshow book...

[frannywentzel.livejournal.com]

Given that from the forward he wrote in the Rolling Stone article that featured the 'missing' 21st chapter he makes if pretty clear that ClockWork Orange was not his favourite or best work. The movie was pretty interesting though by this day and age Alex certainly was a piker compared to the Blood and Cripps or for that matter the Dylans and Kliebolds of an average American high school...

Re: Bolshy horrorshow book...

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I have got to read something else before I can judge him as an author, next time the movie is on tv I'll tape it. Still not sure wether I'll like it.