has anyone read a clockwork orange?

Question

was it good?

Answer 1

Sure, I read the book first. Once you get the meanings of the slang speech (called 'nadsat'), then you will understand the cautious tale Anthony Burgess was trying to tell the reader. I read it when I was a teenager in high school, so forget the "Parental Guidance" and enjoy some of the ol' "in and out" and "ultra-violence."
Yes, I did see the movie after reading the book, and I though it was well-done. Kudos to Burgess, Kubrick, and McDowell.
p.s. - The expression "a clockwork orange" comes from the old Cockney (London slang) expression " as queer as a clockwork orange" or as strange as a mechanically responsive human.

Answer 2

Yes and
Yes. The book is set in the near future. The initial part of working out the local patois (which is derived from Russian) may cause some problems, but Burgess repaets it often enough until you finally "get it." And then he pretty much drops the patois.

The idea of a society in which the young men are all engaged in a "bit of the ultra-violence," is quite prophetic in some ways. Also the state apparatus which tries to control crime is interesting too.

It's a great read from a great writer.

By the way, Malcolm McDowell also played the lead in an earlier film called "If." It covers some of the same ideas expressed in "A Clockwork Orange."

Answer 3

I have...long, LONG ago. Good/bad isn't a term you can really use for that particular book. It is strange, and fascinatingly repelling. It has some quite graphic moments in it, and nothing, and I mean NOTHING soft or redeeming about it at all.
I'd say, though, that it is a book I'd suggest...for a reader of an appropriate age. It is definitely adult material. Not so much for the graphic content, but for the advanced experience of the reader. It is NOT easy to understand the sub themes in the book at all.

Answer 4

It's excellent!, and the bonus is an extra chapter at the end that Kubrick was smart enough to leave out of the movie. It would have changed the whole meaning of it.

Answer 5

I found the book remarkable; and different enough from the film to accept both as great works of art in their own right.

Answer 6

it was really hard to understand at first because I think it's in old English or some sort of slang. But it was good and the movie is amazing too!

Answer 7

It was surreal and at times weird but dealt with a very pertinent social concern, the treatment of the criminal.

Answer 8

Yes
and
Yes

Answer 9

I haven't read it, but my friends have told me that the movie is awesome. Thanks for mentioning it, I'm gonna read the book before watching the movie.

Answer 10

Yep. Yep.