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)

Slow odd start but builds to a good listen

I regretted buying this at first story is confusing and at parts has two or three stories going at once but then turns into a classic. Not my favorite classic I like 1984 and Fahrenheit better but still a great listen.

A Relevant Classic

I read Brave New World once in my teens and once in my 20s. It's just as interesting in this century to think about where we've been and where we're going.

There were a few really horrible reviews of the performance. I completely disagree. I think the dramatization was excellent and added to the enjoyment of the novel.

Eerie

The story is quite unique and reminds me of the short story by Kurt Vonegut called Harrison Bergeron. Very good story, interesting and captivating.

I had to stop because of terrible narration

The story is very interesting and that could be a very good listen if not for a terrible narration. I'd guess Michael York came from a classical theater and, unfortunately, what works for stage doesn't work for audiobook. As other reviewers mentioned, he would overuse his theatrical voice going from whispering to hysterically loud voice. I really wanted to finish that book, but had to stop after chapter III. It was almost impossible to follow the story line.

Narration Bad

The narration made this difficult to get through for me. Seems like many other people feel similarly. Shame as this was my first time reading Brave New World.

Thought Provoking

This book was really fun to listen to. The narrator has great pace and the story was captivating even in the longer exposition sections. I listened to this book after it being recommended by many political commentators and it is as thought provoking as when Huxley published it. Many of the themes are as relevant today because people are emotionally consistent through the course of history and this story shows that truth beautifully. A classic in every regard.

Narration

I’ve listened to about 100 audible books - Michael York did an excellent job with his voice characteristics. I’ve never commented on the narrator before.

Also 2021 is approaching the story line. Scary stuff.

From another time

I have plenty of appreciation about what Aldous Huxley was trying to do, but at the end of the day, my takeaway is simply that is dangerous to invoke any ideology. in this case, Huxley forewarns of the dangers of communism equating it with lack of free thought, speech, and brainwashing, and yet he simultanously, sits in a time of tremendous oppression denigrating everything that isn't blond haired and blue-eyed with stark racism against Black and indigenous folks. Reading this book in high school was one of the first ways I understood the dangers of the framing of "for the greater good," and yet this leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

Phenomenal read!!!!

Oh my god, I had learned about this book from Jordan Peterson and his reading list. I as a person can not write a competent review of this book. The story is actually that good. There are very clear cut reasons why this book is not in school curriculum and one of those reasons is because it shakes the entire hierarchy of society like a skeleton rattling against prison bars.

volume issues

voice work very good, but as another reviewer more aggressively pointed out, the shift from inaudible whisper to painful yelling was a constant issue. it really ruined the experience. get another version, even if it isn't free.