Island
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"'One of the truly great philosophical novels' The Times"
The Times
'One of the truly great philosophical novels'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the antithesis to Brave New World and a deeper exploration of the naturalistic vision that Huxley left us with, at the climax of his stunning novel 30 years earlier. It is a thing of beauty. I doubt anyone could read this book wihtout feeling a little loathing at technological and industrial marvels we are privileged with. You will feel compelled to set aside some time for the simple things in life and forget about the ones that involve money, without feeling guilty.
It seems incredible that Brave new world is nearly 80 years old and Island, born with the Hippy era, almost 50. To me, these works ring truer today than any other utopian works. It is Huxley's grasp of the human psyche that makes us believe such societies could endure. He shows us not how we could be forced to exist within them them, but whatever your political stance, why you might be happier if you did so. Despite his failing eyesight, Huxley saw a lot of things coming and wrote his books HD-ready!
It seems incredible that Brave new world is nearly 80 years old and Island, born with the Hippy era, almost 50. To me, these works ring truer today than any other utopian works. It is Huxley's grasp of the human psyche that makes us believe such societies could endure. He shows us not how we could be forced to exist within them them, but whatever your political stance, why you might be happier if you did so. Despite his failing eyesight, Huxley saw a lot of things coming and wrote his books HD-ready!
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read 1984 and brave new world, and as I am sure was the case for most people, my perspectives on society, science, and progress were altered, irreversably, or so I thought. These great dystopian novels coloured and darkened my perception of our modern landscape of cctv, GM foods and shrink wrapped pre-proccessed art. Then I read Island and had my optimism reaffirmed. Island shows us that a society based on anarchist principles could conceivably be a better one than our own, without reading like psuedo philosophical new age toss. Huxley is beautifully persuesive in his writing, and manages seamlessly, to provide coherrent, intellegent arguments without ever fracturing the dramatic and engrossing narrative. I think everyone will connect with the main character's periodic visions of his fellow men as maggots, and even the seemingly pessimistic ending leaves you hopeful.
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Brave New World is the Book in which Huxley gained a reputable name in the world of literature, Island is often seen as the sequel to Brave New World in the sense that it is Brave New World's exact opposite.
In Island, Huxley portray's his ideal society which is free from weapons, oppression and fear and is replaced by holistic health care, A form of Buddism and a life enhancing drug (which Huxley novel would be complete without it?). Huxley seems to be trying to convince people to get rid of their weapons and hatred and instead rule our lives with logic and caring.
The island is described from an outsiders (the main narrative is given from someone who was shipwrecked on the island) view of the surroundings, this is very usefull as it highlights all of the differences between "our civilised" society and the one Huxley portrays (as better). This book may be seen as an arguement against totalitareanism and even Christianity offering free thinking, expression, anarchy and Buddism in its place.
In my list of top ten books, Island features very highly.
In Island, Huxley portray's his ideal society which is free from weapons, oppression and fear and is replaced by holistic health care, A form of Buddism and a life enhancing drug (which Huxley novel would be complete without it?). Huxley seems to be trying to convince people to get rid of their weapons and hatred and instead rule our lives with logic and caring.
The island is described from an outsiders (the main narrative is given from someone who was shipwrecked on the island) view of the surroundings, this is very usefull as it highlights all of the differences between "our civilised" society and the one Huxley portrays (as better). This book may be seen as an arguement against totalitareanism and even Christianity offering free thinking, expression, anarchy and Buddism in its place.
In my list of top ten books, Island features very highly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Meditiaton on mindfulness
Journalist and life long cynic Will Farnaby wakes up to the insistent call 'Attention' after being shipwrecked on the forbidden island of Pala, located geographically somewhere... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jo Bennie
Huxley's island
Huxley wrote this book towards the end of his life. Having written extensively on many subjects , he turned his life experience to writing one of the best utopian novels ever. Read more
Published 21 months ago by S. A. Eeles
Island
I find it hard to review this book. It stimulated a lot of thought for me but I question whether it is a great novel. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2009 by G. Hill
Island - Do not hesitate, read it!!
I was assigned this novel to read for University, as part of a module based on 1960s literature.
The book was amazing; although it's not Huxley's most famous novel, it doesn't... Read more
The book was amazing; although it's not Huxley's most famous novel, it doesn't... Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by Ms. K. Tostevin
Not really a novel
ISLAND: A NOVEL.
But it is not a novel: a congestion of often baffling and contradictory views held together by the thinnest of narrative shreds. No character interest. Read more
But it is not a novel: a congestion of often baffling and contradictory views held together by the thinnest of narrative shreds. No character interest. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2009 by R. A. Camp
Potential classic that failed to materialise
I was interested by the sound of this book. Other reviewers were certainly smitten with Island. The overall theme and sub-themes of Island are still so relevant, even in the 21st... Read more
Published on 4 April 2007 by TS
One of the best books I have read
One of the best books I have read is Aldous Huxley's 'Island'. It is a take-off on the utopia theme and not his first one on it, the earlier one being 'The... Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2006 by Sushil Markandeya
Not a novel - but not a criticism
If you came to read a thriller based on the romantic principles of melodrama, walk away now. What you have here is a treatise on a way of living, a progressive book of ideas, a... Read more
Published on 25 April 2005 by Tim Hardwick
Wisdom
A beautiful utopian tale, full of wisdom and insight. A minor issue with the book is that some of the dialog is a little dated,and the first few pages can be hard going, but this... Read more
Published on 25 April 2005
Beautiful
This book has no match. Reading it I was filled with joy, I wept, I pondered, I laughed, I was made angry. Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2004
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