Huxley Forums - View Single Post - Who has actually read Aldous Huxley: Brave New World?

lovelessk · 20-05-2006, 08:19 PM

Sadly, Brave New World has been pushed out of the High School Canon in American classrooms.
This is not really a college level book, but with recent, more politically correct editions(and recent is past 20 years, sorry I am old) there just wasn't room for books like this. Most people get Orwell still and lose Huxley. But to be honest, your teachers today probably never read it either unless they grew up in the Reagan or generally Cold War era literature.
Today's lit focuses on shiny happy feelings, ethnic literature, and a few of the old school classics.
Nothing wrong with it. During the Depression most of us would have read maybe one reading primer and the bible if we were from families that could afford education.
The book is good, and it's very relevant today post patriot act. Huxley managed to be part Heinlen and part Orwell for Brave New World. If neither of those appeal to you, start with something less heavy and work your way up. Lot's of great books out there you will never get exposed to with the current canon.
Sorry for the long winded reply,
my degree is in English lol.

20-05-2006, 08:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
lovelessk Training Grounds Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3	Sadly, Brave New World has been pushed out of the High School Canon in American classrooms. This is not really a college level book, but with recent, more politically correct editions(and recent is past 20 years, sorry I am old) there just wasn't room for books like this. Most people get Orwell still and lose Huxley. But to be honest, your teachers today probably never read it either unless they grew up in the Reagan or generally Cold War era literature. Today's lit focuses on shiny happy feelings, ethnic literature, and a few of the old school classics. Nothing wrong with it. During the Depression most of us would have read maybe one reading primer and the bible if we were from families that could afford education. The book is good, and it's very relevant today post patriot act. Huxley managed to be part Heinlen and part Orwell for Brave New World. If neither of those appeal to you, start with something less heavy and work your way up. Lot's of great books out there you will never get exposed to with the current canon. Sorry for the long winded reply, my degree is in English lol.