![]() ![]() That same year, the version published in the United States came with only 20 chapters and omitted the final chapter in which Alex realizes the error of his violent ways and vows to live a better life. The original Version, published in 1962 in England, consisted of 3 parts, each 7 chapters long, totaling 21 chapters. It also came with more than its share of controversy. It would go on to win Burgess several literary awards, and land itself on Time Magazine’s 100 best books of the century list. ![]() The book was met with rave reviews from publishers and critics alike. Through this illustrative concept Author Anthony Burgess poses the question as to what is better for society freedom or enforced compliance. This training effectively denies Alex the ability to choose freely between right and wrong. Through the use of nausea inducing drugs his is trained by aversion therapy to be physically sickened by even the thought of criminality. ![]() ![]() The most powerful issue in the book is the “Ludovico” technique imposed by the government to brainwash Alex into being a model citizen. While readers sensitive to violence will certainly want to avoid the book due to its graphic nature, I find the most unsettling aspect of the book to be the apathetic attitude of the protagonist, Alex, towards violence. A Clockwork Orange is a frightening tale about good and evil and the meaning of human freedom. ![]()
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