The Guardian reports that A Clockwork Orange was published 50 years ago.
"When discussing A Clockwork Orange, many mistakenly confuse the book with Stanley Kubrick's 1971 film and immediately focus on the violence of the story, when really it's the language of the book – a vernacular so lively and colourful it renders those much-discussed descriptions of beatings and rape almost – almost – comical – that is its most remarkable and revolutionary aspect. Kubrick's dazzling adaptation contributed greatly to the book's ascension to the lofty position it holds today as one of pop culture's most influential and enduring pieces of literature, but it's the slang that 15-year-old protagonist Alex uses in his narration – a post-Joycean mash-up of Slavic, Cockney rhyming, Gypsy and Polari – that allows Burgess to present Alex's diabolical deeds as digestible, if not remotely justifiable."
I must confess that I have never attempted to read it after watching 10 minutes of Stanley Kubrick's extremely disturbing film based on the book. How about you, have you read it, or watched the movie?
If you are curious about A Clockwork Orange the Library's copies of the book and film are both in.
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I saw the movie when I was a college student. I found it revolting, and so disturbing. I wish I had left the theater. As a result, I never wanted to read the book it was based on.
ReplyDeleteReading it now as it turns out and for al the slang and language, it's a fascinating read.
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