Ballantine U-5032 (Sept., 1965). First Printing. Cover by Unknown Artist
The novel is set in a near future English society that has a subculture of extreme youth violence. The teenage protagonist, Alex, leads his gang on a night of opportunistic, random ultra-violence. He is the narrator of the book and describes his violent exploits and his later experiences with state authorities intent on reforming him. He is convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Characterized as sociopath and a hardened juvenile delinquent, Alex also displays intelligence, quick wit, and a predilection for classical music. He is particularly fond of Beethoven, referred to as "Lovely Ludwig Van".
After Alex's fellow cellmates blame him for beating a troublesome cellmate to death, he is chosen to undergo an experimental behavior-modification treatment called the Ludovico Technique in exchange for having the remainder of his sentence commuted. The technique is a form of aversion therapy in which Alex receives an injection that makes him feel sick while watching graphically violent films, eventually conditioning him to suffer crippling bouts of nausea at the mere thought of violence. As an unintended consequence, the soundtrack to one of the films, the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, renders Alex unable to enjoy his beloved classical music as before. When the state undertakes to reform Alex—to "redeem" him—the novel asks, "At what cost?"
“A Clockwork Orange” was included on Time magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923, and it was named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. [Source: Wikipedia]
The novel was the basis for a 1971 film adapted, produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7fO3bzPeBQ
Ballantine U-5032 (Sept., 1965). First Printing. Cover by Unknown Artist
The novel is set in a near future English society that has a subculture of extreme youth violence. The teenage protagonist, Alex, leads his gang on a night of opportunistic, random ultra-violence. He is the narrator of the book and describes his violent exploits and his later experiences with state authorities intent on reforming him. He is convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years in prison. Characterized as sociopath and a hardened juvenile delinquent, Alex also displays intelligence, quick wit, and a predilection for classical music. He is particularly fond of Beethoven, referred to as "Lovely Ludwig Van".
After Alex's fellow cellmates blame him for beating a troublesome cellmate to death, he is chosen to undergo an experimental behavior-modification treatment called the Ludovico Technique in exchange for having the remainder of his sentence commuted. The technique is a form of aversion therapy in which Alex receives an injection that makes him feel sick while watching graphically violent films, eventually conditioning him to suffer crippling bouts of nausea at the mere thought of violence. As an unintended consequence, the soundtrack to one of the films, the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, renders Alex unable to enjoy his beloved classical music as before. When the state undertakes to reform Alex—to "redeem" him—the novel asks, "At what cost?"
“A Clockwork Orange” was included on Time magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923, and it was named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. [Source: Wikipedia]
The novel was the basis for a 1971 film adapted, produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7fO3bzPeBQ