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)

still frightening all these years later

i found "brave new world" to be...interesting, interesting in a "make your skin crawl at the reality of how close to home this story hits" kind of way. a disturbing tale, written many years ago, it's tempting to dismiss the possibilites for a future like this as unthinkable, impossible, improbable...an alarmist's view of the future from so far in the past as to be almost laughable. in truth, laughing will be the last thing on the listener's mind. "brave new world" is presented in such a way as to make the listener think long and hard about our own current events and where they could potentially go in the not so distant future. a bit of a stuffy read at times, it may be a bit hard for many to understand due to both the english accent and the multisyllabic words used nearly constantly. find yourself a dictionary and settle in, just don't be surprised at the disturbing bent your dreams may take. use it as an entertaining listen, but be certain to take away the startling glimpses of what could so easily be our own "brave new world" in the not so distant future.

Keep in mind, it's a classic.

To be honest, I had never heard of the book before in my life. With my interest in dystopian worlds and lives, this book seemed like a good on to read. And it was. The narrator's performance was good and the storyline, as eccentric as it turned out to be, was very strong. This is no run-of-the-mill story, you will need to immerse yourself in the world and the style that it is written in, but when you do, be prepared for a mind-bending dystopia!

Truth and beauty versus comfort and happiness

While "1984" is better-known, I feel like one almost NEEDS to read both it and "Brave New World" once one decides to read either of the two. "1984" gives such a bleak picture of what the worst case scenario must have looked like to someone who had recently seen the dangers of totalitarianism, but "Brave New World" may seem scarily more realistic to present day readers.

Huxley's exploration of a society that chooses happiness and comfort as its guiding principles, and enslaves itself rather than face the responsibilities and uncertainties that accompany freedom, finds many parallels in the modern developed world. Huxley's villain doesn't have to torture people until four fingers look like five, or change the language until people can't even remember how to think about rebelling, or make fake wars to keep the people scared.

Instead, Huxley shows a possible future even more troubling: societal-level contentment and self-limitation.

Fascinating and unique classic novel, well read

Brave New World is Huxley's best known novel and a classic for good reason. This is a unique novel and a gripping expose on human nature. With overtones of Orwell's Big Brother this novel is set in a Utopia where the focus is on happiness, and where freedom and truth are removed from society. Huxley explores what happens when there is a clash with tradition ideals of moral obligation, religion, family, truth and free will.

This is a novel that is well ahead of its time and the description of the world is very clever and the language and turn of phrase employed is wonderful.

Micheal York really brings this to life with a masterful performance.

Amazing Sci-Fi for the time

This was not as dystopian as I thought it would be but it was a beautiful ironic contrast of two different worlds. It amazes me for the time it was written in how good of a sci fi novel it is. The narrator was absolutely amazing. Possibly one of the best I have heard so far. All in all I would reccomend this book. After reading 1984 it was actually quite refreshing because that book was so sad. Aldous Huxley has a certain way of writing that can really contrast and expose human elements that kind of just make you sit back in wonder.

Not Quite

I struggled to finish this one. It started off with amazing potential & went nowhere, slowly. The narrator was good though.

Will read again!

This book is amazing truly one of Huxley's best work! Simply Amazing will recommend to all of my friends. It's a perfect satire on society and is still so relevant in this day and age.

Not a big fan

This book started strong but the plot drastically changed. Last third of book was not very good.

Masterful Dramatist!

Michael York puts on a stellar performance of a true dystopian classic! His ability to effortlessly and convincingly transition from character to character make this an audible purchase worth every penny.

Provoking

Step aside "Fahrenheit 451" and "1984". This is the penultimate dystopian novel. A masterpiece of literature.