Aldous Huxley - Brave New World

[I, Brian]

Brave New World is essentially about social and genetic conditioning. Whist that may be an interesting topic for reading – and was certainly magnificently far-thinking at the time of release – there isn't really a story here at all.


Essentially, this book is an essay – a treatise on the dangers of biological conditioning – approached through a more personal level of disclosure.


The characters are entirely forgettable – and, really, just constructs to comment on the issues of biological engineering. In fact, when some of the characters actually suggest some personality in the last third of the book, there is actually little to either recommend or identify with.


Is it worth reading? It certainly is in terms of its standing, its far-sightedness, and its general message. But do be warned that it has lost something of its gloss over time. Still, the message remains as pertinent now in our era of genetics.


Just don't be disillusioned – this isn't really a story – it's an endearing oratory on the dangers of social engineering through biological tampering and psychological conditioning. Thankfully, it's not a long book, which helps keep it all the more readable.