Just finished reading A Clockwork Orange ***spoilers***

Well I have just finished reading the American release of A Clockwork Orange and I've got to say its INSANE....., I'm going to read the final chapter in a few days to soak in this ending since I've heard that each ending has totally a different feel.

Anyways it is just GREAT IRONY after the other, Alex is Sodded up in the head, gets fixed and then is called not normal yet again.At the beginning of the book its focused towards extreme Bad,evil,villainous, Immoral whatever you wish to call it. but at the end he is given extreme good,moral,just or w/e once again. And how the Man he did harm to in the beginning to in is his saving grace and is imprisoned by the end for his anger. Also how the only 3 people that comfort him lead him to an attempt in suicide him regaining his sanity or insanity because his government are trying to cover up their so called wronging of Alex and "cure" him.Which lead him being (going back to his old self)pissed off and probably him heading off to more tolchocking of lewdies and the raping of devotchkas.

What are thought,s opinions on the book, or any views/interpretations you wish to share?

Also I am going to be seeing the film tomorrow, how is that? does it stray from the book? any major differences? And finally what would be other good reading suggesting that are good? similar or other well written books by Anthony Burgess?

Never read the book, but the film was pretty good.

I'm glad you liked it and I personally think the book was better though Kubrick's film was excellent.

I'd like to see if you could tell me what the symbolism behind "A Clockwork Orange" (The title itself) is. AND DON"T GOOGLE IT!

I'm glad you liked it and I personally think the book was better though Kubrick's film was excellent.

I'd like to see if you could tell me what the symbolism behind "A Clockwork Orange" (The title itself) is. AND DON"T GOOGLE IT!

The_Red_Ronso

I'm pretty sure it's in the authors notes/prolog of the book assuming the picture the op put is the same edition he's reading (I have the same copy).

The film is actually a lot more tame than the book surprisingly. Alex seems to be in his 20's instead of mid teens. Also you don't really have the graphic violence as you do in the book. One thing the film did better was have Alex sing "singing in the rain" to tip off the old writer. In the book it's Alex's slang that makes him believe Alex raped his wife, and that always upset me since it seemed that he didn't have good proof against Alex.

To me the last chapter is a quintessential part of the book. It's basically what brings the whole thing together. Without that last chapter we assume Alex learned nothing, and is going to go back to his old ways, and while he didn't really learn anything he eventually goes onto the next phase of his life.

I've not read the book just seen the film. Kubrick does a fantastic job as always.

It's a fantastic story and it says a lot about people trying to 'cure' others without any understanding of why they have a problem in the first place.

Well I have just finished reading the American release of A Clockwork Orange and I've got to say its INSANE....., I'm going to read the final chapter in a few days to soak in this ending since I've heard that each ending has totally a different feel.

Anyways it is just GREAT IRONY after the other, Alex is Sodded up in the head, gets fixed and then is called not normal yet again.At the beginning of the book its focused towards extreme Bad,evil,villainous, Immoral whatever you wish to call it. but at the end he is given extreme good,moral,just or w/e once again. And how the Man he did harm to in the beginning to in is his saving grace and is imprisoned by the end for his anger. Also how the only 3 people that comfort him lead him to an attempt in suicide him regaining his sanity or insanity because his government are trying to cover up their so called wronging of Alex and "cure" him.Which lead him being (going back to his old self)pissed off and probably him heading off to more tolchocking of lewdies and the raping of devotchkas.

What are thought,s opinions on the book, or any views/interpretations you wish to share?

Also I am going to be seeing the film tomorrow, how is that? does it stray from the book? any major differences? And finally what would be other good reading suggesting that are good? similar or other well written books by Anthony Burgess?

CoolSkAGuy

The book is excellent. I must admit it took me a long time to finish it. Only because it is written in such a strange slang. He pretty much makes up his own words for certain things. It is very good though, and I loved the film too. (obviously the book is better, but the film is also very, very good).

A Clockwork Orange is quite possibly my favourite book and film, so I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

Personally I can't stand to read the final chapter. It just feels completely out of character for Alex and the central moral dilemma is too easily solved.

I liked the book more. The final chapter brings the story to a nice closure, while the American ending and the movie's ending are just a mess. People bash other movies and books for such a lousy, "pop" ending, while ACO gets a free pass...

I understand that the movie strays form the book in one way - they didn't include the ending.

And I depart from this thread, having neither read nor seen it.

I've never read the book or seen the movie.
I tried to watch the movie a few days ago, but I onlymade it throughthe first 15 minutes....

Good book, but it is not the author's best. Read Earthly powers, and The long day wanes. Those are the best books by Anthony Burgess. He is a fantastic writer.

I'm pretty sure it's in the authors notes/prolog of the book assuming the picture the op put is the same edition he's reading (I have the same copy).

The film is actually a lot more tame than the book surprisingly. Alex seems to be in his 20's instead of mid teens. Also you don't really have the graphic violence as you do in the book. One thing the film did better was have Alex sing "singing in the rain" to tip off the old writer. In the book it's Alex's slang that makes him believe Alex raped his wife, and that always upset me since it seemed that he didn't have good proof against Alex.

To me the last chapter is a quintessential part of the book. It's basically what brings the whole thing together. Without that last chapter we assume Alex learned nothing, and is going to go back to his old ways, and while he didn't really learn anything he eventually goes onto the next phase of his life.

jrhawk42

I read a paperbak edition which was orange with the word "A Clockwork Orange"

I'm glad you liked it and I personally think the book was better though Kubrick's film was excellent.

I'd like to see if you could tell me what the symbolism behind "A Clockwork Orange" (The title itself) is. AND DON"T GOOGLE IT!

The_Red_Ronso

[QUOTE="jrhawk42"]

I'm pretty sure it's in the authors notes/prolog of the book assuming the picture the op put is the same edition he's reading (I have the same copy).

The film is actually a lot more tame than the book surprisingly. Alex seems to be in his 20's instead of mid teens. Also you don't really have the graphic violence as you do in the book. One thing the film did better was have Alex sing "singing in the rain" to tip off the old writer. In the book it's Alex's slang that makes him believe Alex raped his wife, and that always upset me since it seemed that he didn't have good proof against Alex.

To me the last chapter is a quintessential part of the book. It's basically what brings the whole thing together. Without that last chapter we assume Alex learned nothing, and is going to go back to his old ways, and while he didn't really learn anything he eventually goes onto the next phase of his life.

CoolSkAGuy

I read a paperbak edition which was orange with the word "A Clockwork Orange"

I'm glad you liked it and I personally think the book was better though Kubrick's film was excellent.

I'd like to see if you could tell me what the symbolism behind "A Clockwork Orange" (The title itself) is. AND DON"T GOOGLE IT!

The_Red_Ronso

Just wait until you read the final chapter. Why you haven't read it already, I do not know. I love Burgess' novel. Absolutely fantastic.

[QUOTE="CoolSkAGuy"]

Well from what I understood, was that alex could only function in one direction, just like a clocks inside can only work in one direction as it just goes clockwise and never counter clock wise. When Alex Was "fixed" he went the other way being non functional in his choice and also affecting the abuse of morality of those around him. A person is generally given a conscious which can let him decide what he really wants to do, but for alex, he never really had any control over any of it. I also remember reading some where that orang or orange in some language means man so effectvely A clockwork orange may literally meaning a "one working man" that can only do one but not the other.

The_Red_Ronso

The author's explanation, that it's just a cockney phrase that stuck with him, fits the book better. Because of the nadsat.

He wrote it in three weeks and just for money. He didn't even liked it, wasn't disappointed by its bad reception - which he expected - and hated the movie's enthusiastic reception. Especially since Kubrik decided to be a dick and left him and McDowell to promote it alone.

Wouldn't you also hate it that a book partially inspired by your wife's rape and death, that you only wrote for a quick buck, became such a success? ACC is definitely not a book with a hidden meaning.

Never read the book but I just watched the movie last night and I loved it :D

[QUOTE="The_Red_Ronso"]

[QUOTE="CoolSkAGuy"]

Well from what I understood, was that alex could only function in one direction, just like a clocks inside can only work in one direction as it just goes clockwise and never counter clock wise. When Alex Was "fixed" he went the other way being non functional in his choice and also affecting the abuse of morality of those around him. A person is generally given a conscious which can let him decide what he really wants to do, but for alex, he never really had any control over any of it. I also remember reading some where that orang or orange in some language means man so effectvely A clockwork orange may literally meaning a "one working man" that can only do one but not the other.

Baranga

The author's explanation, that it's just a cockney phrase that stuck with him, fits the book better. Because of the nadsat.

He wrote it in three weeks and just for money. He didn't even liked it, wasn't disappointed by its bad reception - which he expected - and hated the movie's enthusiastic reception. Especially since Kubrik decided to be a dick and left him and McDowell to promote it alone.

Wouldn't you also hate it that a book partially inspired by your wife's rape and death, that you only wrote for a quick buck, became such a success? ACC is definitely not a book with a hidden meaning.

Good book, but it is not the author's best. Read Earthly powers, and The long day wanes. Those are the best books by Anthony Burgess. He is a fantastic writer.

Film-Guy

Just wait until you read the final chapter. Why you haven't read it already, I do not know. I love Burgess' novel. Absolutely fantastic.

foxhound_fox

I believe the film is way better than the book. I prefer it ending without the final chapter. Glad you loved it. :Dsammyjenkis898

Both endings serve great purposes.

1. That you can't change a person and how they are mentally set, and that to do so against their will is wrong.

2. A person will change in their own time and learn to integrate into society.

Both are very real solutions in the real world.

[QUOTE="Film-Guy"]

Good book, but it is not the author's best. Read Earthly powers, and The long day wanes. Those are the best books by Anthony Burgess. He is a fantastic writer.

CoolSkAGuy

Just wait until you read the final chapter. Why you haven't read it already, I do not know. I love Burgess' novel. Absolutely fantastic.

foxhound_fox

The wanting seed was pretty good, though some people critisize it for being anti gay I didn't think it was though. I recommend reading The Doctor is sick, honey for the bears, Napoleon Symphony, Tremor of intent, and The Complete Enderby. Those are his best, though all his books are worth reading. He is one of my favorite authors.