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Brave New World

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Brave New World

By: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Michael York
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About this listen

Originally published in 1932, this outstanding work of literature is more crucial and relevant today than ever before.

“One of the most prophetic dystopian works of the 20th century”—Wall Street Journal

Cloning, feel-good drugs, antiaging programs, and total social control through politics, programming, and media—has Aldous Huxley accurately predicted our future? With a storyteller’s genius, he weaves these ethical controversies in a compelling narrative that dawns in the year 632 AF (After Ford, the deity). When Lenina and Bernard visit a savage reservation, we experience how Utopia can destroy humanity.

A powerful work of speculative fiction that has enthralled and terrified readers for generations, Brave New World is both a warning to be heeded and thought-provoking yet satisfying entertainment.

©1932 Aldous Huxley; 1998 BBC Audiobooks America (P)2003 BBC Audiobooks America Classics Dystopian Genetic Engineering Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Fiction Mind-bending Scary Thought-Provoking Wall Street Utopian

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Critic reviews

"British actor Michael York's refined and dramatic reading captures both the tone and the spirit of Huxley's masterpiece." (AudioFile)
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I read this book many, many years ago when it still had resonance for many fearing the emergence of regimented, totalitarian, mainly communist, states. Being set in the distant future it contains all sorts of predictions about technology and how societies function. It's funny to read it again and to see how things have turned out and how technology like mobile phones and computers simply weren't envisaged in the 1930s. Although it's force has in many ways been superceded by events, it's still a classic and fascinating read.

A classic, but period piece

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The narrator made this a chore to get through and seemed to just use it as a chance to practice his unbearable attempts at provincial accents.

Unbearable narrator

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Struggled through the accents and terrible dramatization of the narrator but left with a sense I want to re-read this book in paper to fully understand its tone of voice of the author.

Terrible narration

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First published in 1932 this story is well ahead of it's time and a definite classic. I enjoyed the narrator and his use of accents to differentiate between the characters, although I wasn't crazy about his use of an English south western accent for the main character as it made him sound stupid.

Ahead of it's time

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Micheal York’s deep chocolaty upper class accent can reveal the hypnotic power of the conditioning overlords. Then comically can change to a northern England commoner’s accent where “Lenena “, the desired woman, is pronounced as “Lenaner “ by the hero.
Mass produced, happy but mindless humans go about their horrific work in a class based society where individuals are not tolerated and society is based on the principals applied in the Model T Ford’s mass production and consumption.
All sadness and suffering is eliminated. Happiness is perfect, but still the population are dependent on “Soma” a drug to help them through their perfect day.
Written by Philosopher and writer, Aldous Huxley in the 1930’s, the book reveals some of the man’s views on society, religion and technology.
It is the males in the book who are the most human. The women are portrayed as mindless. It is a patriarchal society and Huxley does not seem to have any appreciation of women in this novel. Other than this glaring weakness, it is a fascinating novel. For Ford’s Sake, read it!

Fantastic narration of a classic dystopian novel

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The general story concept is very interesting and makes you think of possible futures as well as the fact that some things might be just easier. however none of the characters have any strong personality and are all in some kind of way ignorant. If you liked '1984' it is also an book to add in the reading list.

Interesting futuristic world but not th.characters

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This is one of my favourite books of all time but the narrator is one the worst I've ever heard.

Classic story ruined by terrible voice actor

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I feel like there was no ending to it. I would like to hear more to the story of savage and his world. probably because I feel like John Savage in today's world ...good book

overall it's great

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Would you listen to Brave New World again? Why?

It is worth a listen/read, but I wouldn't return to it.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Michael York does a good job of the general narration, but some of his accents are a little silly and don't really fit within the context of the story.

Any additional comments?

Overall this is an enjoyable story. It deals with some interesting ideas, but does sound dated in places.

Interesting Story, OK Narration

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Really enjoyable - raises a lot of questions about society today. I recommend for sure

Great story that makes you think!

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