Finally read this after reading comments mentioning it as one of the few books where the film based on it was possibly as good as the original work. It is challenging getting accustomed to the narrator's use of slang and disturbing enjoyment of violence, but the novel is still relevant today, 50 years later (though the author did not foresee the advances in music technology or that smoking would be barred in restaurants).

To vedranaster, 03/22/11.

Thank you ghir for this wonderful RABCK!

This book did not come alone, it arrived with a wonderful surprise RABCK, The Thief of Always by Clive Barker, a book I've been looking for for ages now, ever since I lent my copy to an acquaintance and never got it back. Moreover, it was also accompanied with some yummy passionfruit orange organic green & black tea, which I'll be brewing in a minute or two, just as soon as I've finished journalling the books. :D

Looking forward to reading this one, even though it might be on my shelf for a while as my Mount TBR has grown significantly after having won a sweepstake. ;) But no worries, it will travel on eventually. :D

Haven't read it yet, but it's just been moved up from around the top of the reading list to the very top. Reserved for 4evagreen after I've finished with it. :)

I've been reading this book for months now, and not because it was uninteresting, but because various rings and rays kept popping in, making me put this one on hold.

I like the book a lot as it is still very much relevant today, or maybe even more today than all those years ago, as we seem to be slowly moving in the direction where violence is more and more present among young people, and where governments are taking away freedoms one by one, with silent consent from the masses. Yes, some speak up, but not enough of us to really matter. "The common people will let it go, oh yes. They will sell liberty for a quieter life." And while I don't agree with the way the people in this book chose to show governmental encroachments, I love that quote, because it is quite true. We are all willing to sacrifice something so as to have a quieter life. The question is only where do we draw the line? And will it be too late by the time we decide to do it?

The language of the main character and narrator -- "nadsat" the language of teenagers -- was a bit distracting at first, but as most of the words come from Slavic languages I soon got used to it. I had a quick look at the nadsat glossary for the words which didn't seem at all familiar, and after that I had no problem following the story. I must say, I admire any reader who is not from the Slavic language background for their persistence. I might have given up on the book had so many words been foreign to me. I generally do not like to stop reading in order to look things up in glossaries or footnotes etc. I feel it takes away from the flow of the text and hinders understanding.

I like the final chapter where the main character grows up and gives up his violent ways, though I'm not sure I particularly agree with him ascribing all the violence to his youth: "And all it was was that I was young." Yes, children do have a mean streak and can be unnecessarily violent, but not at the age of 14. That characteristic goes away much sooner in most children.

Anyway... I really enjoyed the book, despite all the violence. The "nadsat" in a way manages to make it less graphic and easier to take. Now I must find the film again in my video store and re-watch it. The book is reserved for another book crosser and will travel on some time next week.

Thank you, ghir, once again for this wishlist book! You're fabulous! :D

Whew... It took a while, I kept getting interrupted with rings and rays, but I finally finished the book and have finally managed to get to the post office and send it on.

4evagreen, enjoy and good luck with the lingo! ;)

This is a book that I have long wanted to read but never seemed to get around to. I look forward to doing so now. Many thanks for sharing.

As a fairly law abiding (speeding tickets not included) citizen who has never felt the need (desire definately need no) to physically attack another human being I was both fascinated and horrified with the first part of the book as Alex and his "droogs" move about causing mayhem whereever they go, assaulting, robbing and raping. Then the second half of the book deals with how the state should combat this.

Personally I'm not sure as to whether or not the last chapter (which was origanally omitted in the American publication) adds or detracts from the overall book mainly because I'm not totally convinced that people with thuggish tendancies will ever just grow out of them on their own accord. Overall I really enjoyed this book but the early struggle swith the language marked it down for me.

Anyway hopefully the next reader will enjoy as much as I did.

Gosh, just discovered I have not journaled this book yet to say it arrived safely! Many apologies. Thank you so much for granting my wish 4evegreen. I have just started reading it and have another reader lined up for it, so expect some prompt journal entries soon.

I'm really divided about this book. I really don't know if it is a work of sheer genius or the author was having a laugh. For me it's not the actual violent plot, it's the language! Although I could guess what was happening, at times the language just had me baffled. I can understand why the author make Alex speak that way, but what's the good of being so clever that it excludes your audience? Regarding the endings (Part 3, Chapters 6/7), I can see why publishers in USA felt they should exclued the final chapter, as the final one is out of character with the rest of the book. And leaving ending violently kind of makes the story come full circle. But the actual final chapter balances the book and transforms it by giving Alex a depth you would not expect from all you have so far read. In the end, it wasn't a bad book, but I doubt I'd read it again.

Finally found a new reader for this book! It's off to riffraff71. Safe travels little book!

Thank you so much Shahrun for sending me this wishlist book.Sorry it took me a few days to get around to thanking you! As I said before,if there's anything on my shelf you'd like to have ,let me know!