Brave New World

By: Aldous Huxley

Narrated by: Michael York

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's summary

Originally published in 1932, this outstanding work of literature is more crucial and relevant today than ever before.

“One of the most prophetic dystopian works of the 20th century”—Wall Street Journal

Cloning, feel-good drugs, antiaging programs, and total social control through politics, programming, and media—has Aldous Huxley accurately predicted our future? With a storyteller’s genius, he weaves these ethical controversies in a compelling narrative that dawns in the year 632 AF (After Ford, the deity). When Lenina and Bernard visit a savage reservation, we experience how Utopia can destroy humanity.

A powerful work of speculative fiction that has enthralled and terrified readers for generations, Brave New World is both a warning to be heeded and thought-provoking yet satisfying entertainment.

©1932 Aldous Huxley; 1998 BBC Audiobooks America (P)2003 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"British actor Michael York's refined and dramatic reading captures both the tone and the spirit of Huxley's masterpiece." (AudioFile)

not my kind of book

I like books that teach you something, this book only teaches hippocracy. it reminds me of the matrix, though this book was written first. by the end I felt cheated. the civilized people were no better than the savages.

A Dystopian future - relevant today as in 1932.

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

Those who read classics such as 1984 - The Handmaiden's Tale - and other visions of a dystopian future.

What other book might you compare Brave New World to and why?

1984 Handmaiden's Tale

What does Michael York bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Michael does the many and varied character's "voices" very very well - he "acts" them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ending - where John Savage rejects one of the Brave New Worlds.

Any additional comments?

Published approximately 85 years ago – Huxley “got right” – a future that includes genetic engineering, rocket planes – international travel and the “human nature” for stability within society.

This book is extremely well written and as relevant today as in 1932 when it was published.

There is the possibility of a dystopian future – and there are other possibilities.

With reference to “stability” and “order” being the goals of society – I’m reminded of the line in the movie “The Third Man” where the Orsen Welles character says something like - ….” The Swiss had peace and stability for five hundred years and brought us the cuckoo clock – the Italians had five hundred years of wars and strife and brought us Da Vinci and Michelangelo….”

Carl Gallozzi
[e-mail]

Fascinating

I really enjoyed this book, although it is not for everyone. Written in 1931, it is amazing to me how much of this sci fi novel has come to fruition. Not so much in the technical sense, although some of that is true, but in the philosophical sense of ideas and questions that may have been close to non-existant at the time, but now they are very pertinent--human cloning other reproductive assistance, social conforming, etc. Fascinating.

Finally Got Around to it.

Would you try another book from Aldous Huxley and/or Michael York?

Yes. ...To both.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Expected as I had listened to an radio performance of it some years ago.

What about Michael York’s performance did you like?

Pleasing voice, well trained, and with just the right amount of flare to give the story a little extra something.

Do you think Brave New World needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

"...needs...", no. As Mr Huxley passed away in 1963, it would be a little difficult anyway.

Life is nothing without suffering

Brave new world, has to be the most "ahead of its time" book I have ever read. Written in 1932, Huxley shockingly captured a very frightening possible future in this wonderful book. Full of shock and philosophy this is a great read. The performance my Michael York was wonderful as well. Highly recommended.

timeless and outdated at the same time

besides the slut-shaming and elitist Christian undertones, Huxley's classic novel still carries significant weight in the criticism of society's modern functions, even today.

Timeless Classic

Somehow, I had never read this in school. I was so glad I added it to my "classics" review.
The story about the tension between society and the individual, what is happiness and freedom, and the proper boundaries of technology are timeless.

Great listen.

It's a good foil to the Ayn Rand liberalism that focuses more on the individual without boundaries.

Not what I expected...

The story to me was OK. Due it it being written in an earlier time, I get the significance the story must have been as a truly ground breaking work back then. However, I never felt like I wanted to stay glued to the book until completion. The performance was well done, and I think that is why I would recommend it.

Dystopia at is best

Absolutely beautiful and haunting tale of where society may very well be going. Orgy porgy!

Visionary for a 1932 Ideology, disappointing plot

The era described can be a literal projection to what is happening currently in our world metaphorically.
The human production, controlling and fixing their deficiencies. Hypnotizing the crowd and feeding them what the government desire from a population, neglecting themselves as individuals.
Huxley is pretty good at describing the physical surroundings than human feelings and how the new world affected them. I've expected more psychology projections in such a futuristic environment.
Overall it is a good read, and not a waste of time.
The narration of York made it difficult to stay in harmony with the book or the events, his over voice-acting was awful, extremely loud at parts, while mumbling at others, it just felt out of place.