Brave New World

by Aldous Huxley
(1932 | 259 p)

In this classic of dystopian literature, Aldous Huxley creates a horrifying world of perfect order and stability. The world order of the novel is precariously balanced on the somewhat misinterpreted ideals of Henry Ford and Sigmund Freud. From Ford this society has embraced a religious zeal for mass-production, from Freud an aversion of repressed desires and a belief that sexual promiscuity is the only civilized course of action. The population is highly controlled and have been conditioned to accept this way of life since they were embryos developing in test tubes. They live, work, and die in their particular caste level, distracted from any ill-feelings by readily available drugs and sexual freedom.

Quite preachy and without any discernible plot, the story failed to overwhelm me. But I can't deny that it was incredibly well written. Huxley was clearly displeased with the industrial revolution and Americanism in general. The American focus on youth, beauty, mass production and commercialism are taken to horrifying extremes in Huxley's vision. This is the novel that kicked off dystopian fiction, a must read for fans of the genre.