A Clockwork Orange

By: Anthony Burgess

Narrated by: Tom Hollander

A vicious 15-year-old "droog" is the central character of this 1963 classic. In Anthony Burgess' nightmare vision of the future, where the criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal, invented slang that brilliantly renders his and his friends' social pathology.

A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom. When the state undertakes to reform Alex to "redeem" him, the novel asks, "At what cost?"

This edition includes the controversial last chapter not published in the first edition, as well as Burgess' introduction, "A Clockwork Orange Resucked".

©1962, 1986 The Estate of Anthony Burgess (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"I do not know of any other writer who has done as much with language as Mr. Burgess has done here - the fact that this is also a very funny book may pass unnoticed." (William S. Burroughs)

Horror Show Story

If you could sum up A Clockwork Orange in three words, what would they be?

Better than the movie

What about Tom Hollander’s performance did you like?

Tom Hollander's use of the language of the book and accents was brilliant and really brought the story to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is hard to feel sorry for Alex the little crim, I felt for sorry for his helpless old victims and was looking forward to his comeupence per the movie. Even better described in the book.

Any additional comments?

Having only seen the movie, the book with the last chapter included (left out of the movie) helped round the story out so much better.

**** a real "horrorshow" book

I was a little apprehensive about picking up this book because of the sociopathic violent weirdness I had heard about. I was pleasantly surprised at how well written and narrated it is! Very horrorshow! Which, by the way is just a slangily anglicized Russian word "horosho"- good! I was several chapters into the book before I realized that, and it slowly dawned on me that I understood 99% of Alex's slang, because it is mostly picked up from Russian. Very cleverly disguised and humorous for the most part. chellovek = "vek" = man. adinoky = alone. moloko=milk. platies=dress, or clothes, used loosely. karman=pocket. And so on and on. Great listen! I only give 4 stars because the subject matter is really not my chashka of chai (cup of tea).

The Audiobook is Best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Sure. It's a fun read that tackles an interesting theme, and the language is a joy to listen to (although it gets a bit repetitive). I actually had an easier time listening to it than I did trying to read it several years ago.

Which character – as performed by Tom Hollander – was your favorite?

Alex. When a writer can get you to sympathize with a scumbag, you know you've just read something good.

Excellent!

Watched the movie about 15 years ago (and about 15 years old) and was afraid to listen to the book because I remember how much the movie affected me. The book is soooo much better and on a completely different level. I know I am much older, but the book brought to light the social aspects in a way the movie couldn't. It is beautifully narrated and written. Loved it!

entertaining!

Definitely a great listen, and the narrator is incredible. highly recommend it. would like to read the paper version for quotes too.

The essence of a catching story, oh my brother's

I have heard many of my friend raving about the movie but personally I always prefer to read/listen to a book prior too seeing the movie. This book had me entranced. One cannot listen to horror such as this without feeling at least slightly changed. In the beginning the author also takes a very brave stand by stating in essence that most authors write about things they are too cowardly to do. That alone cought my attention and I thought of that throughout this book oh my brother's.

Such a classic

Where does A Clockwork Orange rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This story has always been one of my number ones. I read this back in my high school days but had to see the movie to understand it. The narrator did an exceptional job giving you a visual of the characters and situations just by the inflictions in his voice. He also did an amazing job capturing each character's personality when doing their voices.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alex, of course. He's the villain, hero AND victim

Twas a grate humble narrator ,Oh my brothers!

Come and get one in the Yarbles! if you have any Yarbles, you jelly unich thou!!

A Masterpiece!!!

The story of Alex is exciting, fun, and raises very important questions of morality and of freewill. The author uses an invented language, called Nadsat, which makes the story all the more fun to read or hear. The final chapter is one that was not included in Stanley Kubrick's film. The book is even more twisted than the movie!

I like this version much better than the film.

when I was a teenager I loved the film, but! think I would have loved it if it were complete. great commentary on society. we definitely need the 21st chapter. We need that same maturing in our violent red clockwork society, otherways my droogies, because "real horror show" describes our collective future, which may suit Alex, in the film, but I'd prefer for US to grow up,.