This entire novel represents an articulate and living evocation of the Sapir- Whorf hypothesis that language is thought and the way we are able to think is limited and moderated by the language we use to do so. Burgess’s use of nadsat is initially jarring and impervious to the reader but becomes alarmingly familiar as one is drawn into the violent psyche of Alex and his gang. The way in which the teenage slang objectifies women and the elderly for example is central to understanding the manner in which the former are treat by the key protagonists. The second important premise made by Burgess in his disturbing narrative is that we are not human without freewill and the potential to do wrong. To be human is to be faced with the existentialist choice of pursuing the path of right or wrong and being able to live with the consequences of those decisions. Further, the psychopath is depicted as being very much a product of the society of which they are a part, something which cannot be comfortingly dismissed tabloid newspaper like as being a monster born to be abhorrent. Another central tenet of this important novel is the vilification of the young by the state, an issue which persists today; older generations remain suspicious of the young believing them to be in need of moral rectification and incapable of self development. It is ironic that Alex’s reformation should be self led in a desire to start a family of his own after the state’s failure to brainwash him into change.

Before the iconic film, there was the iconic book. Until recently, I have been too scared to read this book. I'm squeamish at the best of times and the book is known for it’s 'ultraviolence'. It also has its own language. I have trouble with English! However, you get so swept up in Alex's world that you stop noticing the teen slang of 'Nadsat'. It became part of my vocabulary as I read about fifteen-year-old Alex and his … erm … shenanigans. A dystopian tale that exposes the darkest parts of our human nature. I'd argue Alex is a psychopath, whatever the case, he doesn't feel much when he is robbing, raping or killing. You will feel uncomfortable reading parts and you should, that's what makes you different from Alex, your repulsion. If you can get past that and the black comedy, this book is a fascinating exploration in that age old argument: nature versus nurture. Are we born violent, or is violence thrust upon us?

In the week that I read this, I made little sense to my friends as I was speaking fluent Nadsat without even thinking about it! When people saw me reading this, they thought I was sick because the blurb describes his life at the beginning - the raping, the murdering etc. etc. I had to constantly try and explain that this was really not the point of the book; it isn't condoning these things. The book provides an insight into a possible future and the ethics of different punishments.You must read it!

A Clockwork Orange is undoubtedly one of the greatest books I have ever read. Burgess is masterful in his use of language and creation of a deeply disturbing vision of the future. Although I know a great many people who were put off by the book being written in Nadsat, (Alex's fictional slang talk) I found I picked up on it really quickly. It's kind of intimidating to begin with, but you'll hardly notice it after the first chapter or so, once you've adapted to it. This isn't a book to simply read and chuck back onto the shelf. This is something that needs to be considered, looked at and questioned. Is Alex- our miscreant and extremely seductive narrator- an evil and dangerous young man, or is he a victim? Should we pity him or condemn him? You'll find yourself mulling over your answer for hours. Absolutely amazing.

I loved this book. I was a bit hesitant to read it because I knew it was written using Nadsat, a sort of slang created by Burgess for the novel. However I got used to this quickly; the words are easy to understand when placed in context. I found it added another interesting element to the book. The introduction to the book was helpful in understanding it too. Introductions normally bore me (I'm usually too eager to get into the actual book) but I'd recommend reading this one as it was actually quite interesting. I saw the film a number of years ago and my memories were mostly about the brutal violence within the story, but the violence is somewhat masked in the book by the Nadsat and it's much clearer in the book what the real issue is. Which is worse: a man who chooses to do evil, or a man who is forced to do good? It's a really fascinating ethical dilemma and the way Burgess explores it is particularly clever. Our 'humble narrator' is Alex, a teenager who commits horrendous acts of violence, but is caught eventually and becomes the subject of a controversial technique to stop him from re-offending. This book is as relevant today as it ever was and I'm sure anyone who is interested in sociology and/or ethics would find it particularly interesting.