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Brave New World  By  cover art

Brave New World

By: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Anton Lesser,Jonathan Coy,Justin Salinger,Pippa Bennett-Warner,full cast
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Publisher's summary

A gripping BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Aldous Huxley's classic dystopian novel.

It's 2116, and Bernard Marx and Helmholtz Watson are token rebels in an irretrievably corrupted society where promiscuity is the norm, eugenics a respectable science, and morality turned upside down. There is no poverty, crime or sickness - but no creativity, art or culture either. Human beings are merely docile citizens: divided into castes, brainwashed and controlled by the state and dependent on the drug soma for superficial gratification.

Into this sterile society comes an outsider, John - a man born into squalor and suffering, but raised on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, a book which has shaped his entire life. When he discovers that treasured ideals such as love mean nothing in this 'brave new world', where romance is ridiculous, marriage shocking and parenthood shameful, John's world is shattered - and his reaction will show Bernard and Helmholtz what rebellion really means....

Based on Aldous Huxley's 1932 masterpiece, widely considered one of the greatest novels of all time, this chilling dramatisation set in a futuristic totalitarian society stars Jonathan Coy, Justin Salinger, Milton Lopes and Anton Lesser. Running time: 2 hours

©2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Featured Article: The 10 Best Dystopian Audiobooks with Unsettling Alternate Realities


Though the dystopian genre focuses on the world’s degeneration, these fantastical, exploratory, and poignant titles often have the power to reveal something significant about the world listeners live in now. No matter the dystopia conjured in a selection, their creators enable us to explore human nature and safely reflect on our own reality. Here are the 10 best dystopian audiobooks to transport, unsettle, and perhaps even inspire.

What listeners say about Brave New World

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Lackluster Abridgement of a fantastic book.

I usually love a BBC dramatisation, but this one cut out too much in order to come in under time, and lost a lot of the internal struggle of the characters.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

good dramatization, mediocre substance

I enjoyed the performances, but would have preferred the unabridged story. not many choices available.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Sad Look at Humanity's Future

I once would have found this all outlandish but interesting entertainment. However, in light of what has been happening - WAP being OK for our kids while discussing election issues is outlawed - it has become clear that this is exactly where we are headed. Very sad. No human connection. Masks anyone?

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

better read the book

Some texts do not benefit from an abridged dramatization (the film is not great either). This is better read or listened to as a novel.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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With grace and brutality you learned the truth.

I loved the format and skill that this piece was presented. Much like George Orwell, you find your self feeling hopelessly sucked into to how a dystopian future marginalizes your humanity.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing dramatisation

Never read the original book and was hesitant to listen to an audio version, which can be very hit or miss. But finding a properly acted version, I just had to try.

A very good way to introduce yourself to the book. Puts strong visuals in your head, just like a good book does. Recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

an eerily prescient work

BBC has taken some liberties with this piece. some of the exposition of the book has been lost but this is typical of any transition from one form of media to another; some things have been changed to make the book a bit more relevant to modern day listeners but these are minor (for instance, use of cell phones or mentioning walmart). i believe the changes are in the spirit of the original text and minor, thus, appropriate. the voices of the two young women were a bit hard to differeciate so made their conversations a bit confusing. overall one of my favorite books and because of a good performance this audiobook would be a great distraction during any roadtrip.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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Hard to listen to. Gave up halfway through.

Hard to listen to. Story did not flow very well. Lot of jumping around. Only made it halfway.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful

Sometimes it takes a powerful narrative like this to help us (humanity) take a step back and look at life through new eyes and appreciate life in a new way. This brave new world is about kindness + extreme control, about taking away the parts of life that make it meaningful and what this looks like. Life becomes fruitless and unbearable for those who are aware enough to see it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely fantastic.

I remember reading the book in school but now it really hits me. Brutally prophetic.

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