A Clockwork Orange

File this under ‘Books That Will Change Your Life‘ and ‘Books You Most Definitely Have To Read Before You Bow Out.’

A Clockwork Orange is both a frightening social commentary and a spellbinding work of art. Not to mention a creative masterpiece.
Burgess’ experimental use of language was a huge risk, but is undoubtedly responsible for its massive success. Alex Delarge and his ‘droogs’ speak in their own clandestine tongue, ‘nadsat’. The book is written from Alex’s perspective inviting us to join in in their world, ensuring that this is a reading experience like no other. His clever use of slovos to tell the raskazz was a horrorshow move.

With a penchant for ‘lashings of ultra-violence’ which include brutal beatings, rape and gang fights it might seem impossible to imagine a protagonist like Alex being as likeable as he is. The ultimate anti-hero who is fighting oppression in his own sadistic manner. His abhorrent actions, justified by his low opinions of the world, the people in it, and his belief that he is entitled to whatever he wants, force us to question our own societal, and moral values.
When Alex is caught and jailed, the equally abhorrent actions inflicted upon him by authority figures leaves us once again questioning the aggresive disposition of power and authority, and the social constructs of human nature, and humanity as a whole.

In Alex, Burgess creates a remarkably unusual and complex character — famously brought to life on screen by Malcom McDowell in Stanley Kubrick’s highly controversial film version — that pushes us to consider the adage of nature vs. nurture, and delve deeper into the behavioural traits of humankind.

A Clockwork Orange is a social prophecy and the ultimate novel for open-minded individuals with an appetite for excitement.