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A Clockwork Orange

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A Clockwork Orange

By: Anthony Burgess
Narrated by: Tom Hollander
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Brought to you by Penguin.


In this 1962 classic, a novelistic exploration of modern crime and punishment, Alex is the 15-year-old leader of his gang of "droogs" thriving in the ultraviolent future as prophetically imagined by Burgess. Speaking a bizarre Russian-derived slang, Alex and his friends freely pillage and slash their way across a nightmarish urban landscape until Alex is captured by the judicial arm of the state. He then becomes their prized guinea pig in a scientific program to completely "redeem" him for society. If we had the power of absolute criminal reform, what, the novel asks, would this mean for our ideals of freedom and society?

This edition reinstates the final chapter missing from Kubrick's film, in which Alex is on the verge of starting a family as he reflects on--and completely rejects--his adolescent nastiness. It also includes Burgess's introduction "A Clockwork Orange Resucked."


© Anthony Burgess 1962 (P) Penguin Audio 2010

 Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Crime
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Critic reviews

With a smooth, almost lyrical, crisp voice, Hollander delivers Burgess's nadsat dialect to readers with such rhythmic cadence that listeners will easily understand the extensive slang used throughout the book
All stars
Most relevant
I had seen the film, and was interested to understand what the book was actually saying. As it turned out, it was saying a lot more than the film. I had not known that the American edition of the book - the edition adapted for film - had omitted the 21st and last chapter, essentially undermining some aspects of the books message. Stanley Kubrick cynically claimed that he had not read the last chapter until he was applying the finishing touches to the editing of the film, but I think it is more likely that by omitting this last chapter, he made the films conclusion more edgy and attractive to audiences. I thought the film was disturbingly good, but would advise people to listen to this audio version of the book. It has an interesting introduction by Anthony Burgess where he voices his disappointment that this is the one work he will truly be remembered for amongst a host of ones he regards as better and he explains how the 21st chapter was lost in the US edition. He also explains what 'A Clockwork Orange' actually is, which alas I had not really understood from the film - very interesting.

Well read by the narrator and a pleasure to listen to. A superb book that has not aged, but only become more relevant.

Real Horrorshow.

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Having always loved the book and like many other "classics" had it sitting on my book shelf for many years I bought the audiobook with the intention of reading the book.

The introduction by the author sets the stall out clearly. This book is different than the film. In fact the ending is so different that it gives a completely different perspective on what it means to be a "Clockwork orange".

A fantastic read and definitely worth purchasing! Amazing.

A revelation!

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Would you consider the audio edition of A Clockwork Orange to be better than the print version?

haven't read the book

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The book is famous for its displays of graphic violence yet the majority of the book focuses on the moral aspects of controlling someone's free will, despite the individual being a criminal likely to cause more violence.

Any additional comments?

Interesting to listen to the original book as the film is so famous with so many connotations connected.What is particularly interesting is the reading by Anthony Burgess himself at the end. The characters in the film and the narrator Tom Hollander portray our humble narrator as resident of London with a slight cockney twang - yet Burgesses voice is a thick northern gruff. Burgess himself expresses this isn't one of his finest novels and had found fame from the movie. I could go on to identify some areas where there is a lack of imagination in the development of the story (for example meeting exactly the same characters from before prison, when out of prison) but I feel here the end is what matters, not so much the means of getting there.It is far from a perfect novel, but does bring some interesting aspects on the moral implications of conditioning.

Hard to absorb it without thinking of the film

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i absolutely reccomend this audiobook. the performance is probably the best or at least one of the bests i have heard so far.

Great story. Excellent performance maybe the best.

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What is a fairly difficult text, owing in part, to the incorporation of ‘Nadsat’ speak, is made so much more accessible by the effortless narration. The conversational tone and accurate cockney accent bring this story to life. I really felt like I knew Alex DeLarge by the third or fourth chapter. The style of the narration makes Nadsat much easier to pick up, so easy in fact, I started using it inadvertently in my everyday speech. The story is brutal, exploring the worst of human nature, unashamedly bringing all the inner perversions to the surface. It’s uncomfortable and queer. But oh god is it fantastic! I was gripped to the plot start to finish. Highly recommend! A true gem.

Unforgettable

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