Common Interests

Classic Novel - Brave New World

2011-01-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

Another classic novel I have read a few times. This classic novel is somewhat similar to 1984, setting the scene immediately to a sort of brainwashed and inhumane society, due to the cause of futurism. This is also a definite must read.

"My dear young friend," said Mustapha Mond, "civilization has absolutely no need of nobility or heroism. These things are symptoms of political inefficiency. In a properly organized society like ours, nobody has any opportunities for being noble or heroic. Conditions have got to be thoroughly unstable before the occasion can arise. Where there are wars, where there are divided allegiances, where there are temptations to be resisted, objects of love to be fought for or defended–there, obviously, nobility and heroism have some sense. But there aren't any wars nowadays. The greatest care is taken to prevent you from loving any one too much. There's no such thing as a divided allegiance; you're so conditioned that you can't help doing what you ought to do. And what you ought to do is on the whole so pleasant, so many of the natural impulses are allowed free play, that there really aren't any temptations to resist. And if ever, by some unlucky chance, anything unpleasant should somehow happen, why, there's always soma to give you a holiday from the facts. And there's always soma to calm your anger, to reconcile you to your enemies, to make you patient and long-suffering. In the past you could only accomplish these things by making a great effort and after years of hard moral training. Now, you swallow two or three half-gramme tablets, and there you are. Anybody can be virtuous now. You can carry at least half your morality about in a bottle. Christianity without tears–that's what soma is."

Modern Library ranked this classic novel a staggering 5th in its list of the 100 best English-Language novels of the 20th century, truely mirroring the brilliance of this peice of classic literature. A recommend for all!

Another Classic Novel - 1984

2011-01-25T15:34:00.000-08:00

This classic novel is definitely a popular amongst most classic novel admirers. 1984 is amazing book by George Orwell based on a totaliratian society run by "Big Brother".

"He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother."

No wonder why this is a classic novel. George Orwell is truely a genius and got me and millions of other readers hooked on every line.

On The Road - A Classic Novel

2011-01-25T03:29:00.000-08:00

ON THE ROAD, a classic novel. Since I've introduced myself, I'll start with a book I have just finished reading.
On The Road by Jack Kerouac. AMAZING book. Dean Moriartry, Sal Paradise and the rest. Simply a classic novel and will definitely be seen in any top 100 list.

"So in America when the sun goes down and I sit on the old broken-down river pier watching the long, long skies over New Jersey and sense all that raw land that rolls in one unbelievable huge bulge over to the West Coast, and all that road going, and all the people dreaming in the immensity of it, and in Iowa I know by now the children must be crying in the land where they let the children cry, and tonight the stars'll be out, and don't you know that God is Pooh Bear? the evening star must be drooping and shedding her sparkler dims on the prairie, which is just before the coming of complete night that blesses the earth, darkens all the rivers, cups the peaks and folds the final shore in, and nobody, nobody knows what's going to happen to anybody besides the forlorn rags of growing old, I think of Dean Moriarty, I even think of Old Dean Moriarty the father we never found, I think of Dean Moriarty."

This last paragraph got me. I recommend all of you to read it. On The Road by Jack Kerouac is a definite classic novel which anyone will enjoy.

Blog Introduction - Classic Novels

2011-01-25T03:21:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone. This is my introduction to a blog where I will share classic novels with all. Currently, Im at Sussex University. Im new to this blogging business but Ive always wanted to try it sooner or later so I thought why not mix my love with classic novels into this? Im gonna start following a whole load of friends so anyone is free to come and view, comment and generally enjoy my blog :).
Most posts will be on obvious classic novels, which I have read/reading/ or may possibly read.