Books of the Week

Today's book recommendations come from 4A.  

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 
Recommended by Julian Bone

Aldous Huxley's Brave New World is a ground-breaking work about societal control through genetic manipulation, subliminal conditioning and socially acceptable drug use. 

In this world you are not born, you are decanted; the institution of the traditional family has fallen apart, and is even considered obscene. Children run about naked and wild, experimenting with sex from a shockingly young age. This is a world where everyone's body belongs to everyone else. Promiscuity is encouraged as well as mass consumption and instant gratification. Men and women take a drug called 'soma' to mellow any pesky emotions. It is also used in religious-like ceremonies and public gatherings to create a kind of ecstasy. A strict caste system is in place from the moment a baby is decanted. Societal values are whispered into children's ears thousands of times per week while they sleep. So, when they grow up, they fit seamlessly into the role that the world has chosen for them from conception. But not everyone is happy in this world. Can you imagine that? Perhaps they just need more soma...

Born on the Fourth of July by Ron Kovic
Recommended by Luke Williams

Born on the Fourth of July contains a very powerful message that is heavily anti-war. The author, Ron Kovic, was paralysed in Vietnam from the chest down and he documents how he was sucked into the war in the first place and how his injury ruined his life.

The writing constantly switches between first and third person, despite focusing on Kovic himself throughout. However, the reader does feel a large amount of empathy for many other characters. There are some quite horrific instances of death and suffering, exacerbated by the fact that it is all true. There are some sections that go rather in depth on this, especially when the men accidentally fire flares and shoot at a group of innocent Vietnamese children and elders. 

The book humanises the entire war and shows how the soldiers themselves feel about all of the destruction that they are causing. This peaks after Kovic fatally shot a 19 year old ally in the dark after thinking he was an enemy. We also see the aftermath of the war on injured soldiers, the inhuman conditions of the hospitals that they were kept in and something as simple as urination becoming a burden.In other sections, it is fascinating to learn how children are almost hypnotised into believing that the army is ‘cool’ and that the cartoons they watched were effectively propaganda at a very early age. By the end of the book, Kovic is so miserable in Vietnam that he attempts to suffer a serious injury to allow him to go home. Even when half his foot is blown off in combat, he does not think it is enough and needs more.

Personally, the most shocking aspect was how little the government seemed to care or give support to Kovic after his injury and how he was in a hellish hospital for a few months where they would spend their afternoons picking up dirt and crumbs off the floor to prevents rats from coming where they could began to eat their paralysed lower-bodies. One man is numb from the neck down and received no further help than those who have their entire torso. I would recommend this book to anyone; however, I would warn them to be cautious depending on how sensitive they are to violence and gore.

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, 
Recommended by Bohan Pan

Phillip Pullman’s novel Northern Lights is the beginning of his extremely successful series called His Dark Materials which has been turned into a popular BBC series. 

This book in particular follows the dangerous and exciting adventures of a young girl called Lyra Belacqua living a quiet but eventful life in Oxford. However, when she discovers that the Master of Jordan College tried to poison her uncle it leaves her confused who to trust. Eventually, her journey leads her North and to a dangerous discovery about her past and identity.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Recommended by Rafe Poole

The book, All Quiet on the Western Front, explores the experiences of German soldiers on the western front in Germany. It contains a documented outline of what life was like in the trenches following the perspective of Private Paul Baumer and the pure pain and suffering which he and his comrades endured.

This book is extremely engaging and provides a clear insight into the life of a German soldier in 1914. I loved the contrast of how the German leaders portrayed being a soldier as patriotic and honourable compared to the dull and traumatic reality.

Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard
Recommended by Nathaniel Weldon

Ballard explores the harrowing experiences of a young British boy who overnight goes from a privileged and sheltered life to one of poverty and starvation. The novel is based on the author’s experiences, which helps to bring the narrative vividly to life. 

We are immersed in a devastated and war-torn world that previously housed some of the wealthiest people in Asia. We see the human instinct for survival and resilience against the looming figures of adversity and death. Using the point of view of Jim, Ballard captures the emotions experienced by a poor child growing up through unpredictability and hostility. The psychological effect on Jim is seen throughout the book as he has to rapidly transform from being a young and naive boy to a reasoning and resourceful man. The narrative keeps readers hooked from the front to the back, and it is hard to believe it is part fiction. The writing skilfully juxtaposes the brutality of war and the human spirit in a thought-provoking way. 

Many thanks for Mr Gardner for collating these reviews.