A Clockwork Orange

Contributed by Griffin, gr. 12, Jan. 2019

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess is dystopian fiction set in the not-so-distant future, depicting the dark and twisted escapades of the troubled teenager Alex and his friends. The book is a fascinating and disturbing study of free will and morality; its modest length keeps the story moving and the reader engaged throughout the majority of the book.

The novel is told entirely from the perspective of its protagonist. Alex. The story describes Alex and his friends, or “droogs”, as they commit violent and disturbing acts of delinquency until eventually being arrested. Burgess’ unique slang “Nadsat”, which he invented specifically for the novel, gives the protagonist a unique voice which helps establish a somewhat alien feeling to the setting. I particularly enjoyed the philosophical questions posed by the book regarding free will, and the unique and sadistic perspective which Alex provides as a narrator.

           

I would recommend this book for grades 11 or 12 students; reader discretion is advised, as it is full of brutal violence including rape and torture. The descriptions by Alex, however, are somewhat lighthearted and childlike, so the tone of the novel is not exceptionally dark. For those willing to endure the disturbing brutality and unique vernacular, A Clockwork Orange will make for an unforgettable and thought provoking read.