I reread Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ as I had forgotten much of the story and felt my initial rating of three stars a few years ago seemed too low for as I remember it, though I don’t think I was overly far off. Huxley depicts a ‘Utopian’ society where the old literature and religion has been abandoned to encourage consumerism of the new, all children are born in labs and genetically conditioned to fit a class and preached rhymes to indoctrinate them. This in audio-book form was honestly kind pf hypnotic. This loss of free will where society is convinced they are completely happy illustrates a seeming Utopia whereas upon analysis of what has been lost, especially when fronted with the opinions of the ‘savage’ John who has lived outside of this society, it becomes more dystopian. 

The diversion of to the ’Savage Reservation’ is where I believe Huxley falls short in a case of brilliant concept with not perfect execution, not that such is done awfully at all but I think it could have been bettered with shifted focuses. Though apart of the plot and I feel it doesn’t reflect on the author, the depiction of the Native American-esque tribes as ‘savages’ is clearly problematic and John’s alienation which isn’t particularly criticised or condemned is example of such. I also found the character of Linda extremely frustrating and disliked scenes around her, I guess this was frustration at her indoctrinated state despite existing among an untouched community though so should really blame the dystopian ‘brave new world’ which in that perspective Huxley is successful in conveying his points. On the other hand, the ideas surrounding indoctrination of youth and human conditioning were really interesting and if more focus was placed on this and the society built around it rather than the ‘savage’ the book would’ve equalled what I love about dystopians. 

All in all however, my first read of ‘Brave New World’ was judged to harshly and on reassessment I have increased it a little from the initial three stars.