New blog address

I have recently copied all of my posts over to a new blog, which can be found here:

http://miscrawl.wordpress.com/

I've also created a new Harry Potter related blog, for all the magic lovers out there:

http://pensivemuggle.wordpress.com/

First Kindle Read---'A Clockwork Orange'

I've done it, I've read a book (well, a novella) on my Kindle for the first time. Admittedly, it was A Clockwork Orange, so not some brand-spanking-new piece of fiction.

I must confess, I was blissfully ignorant of Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange. I've never seen the film, nor did I really have any comprehension as to what the story entailed. I've been vaguely aware that the film in particular is a fairly popular cultural reference, especially the iconic outfit (which was admittedly lost on me).

Now, a simple synopsis is as follows (not a comprehensive one, don't want to spoil it!)

It is a dystopian story as told from the view of a somewhat flawed narrator, Alex. He and his 'droogs' (or friends) make up a mini gang, and they perform random yet planned acts of  so-called 'ultra violence' on their own community. Vicious beatings and theft alongside severe sexual perversions of gang rape and child rape. During an ill-fated burglary attempt from an old woman's home, Alex's mutinous droogs injure him and leave our narrator to be captured by the police. During his stint in prison, he is selected as a subject for a controversial, government backed therapy which promises to render him 'cured' and normal. After the harsh and traumatic process, where Alex is taught to feel sick at the mere thought of violence, he is released back into society. It is then, however, that a group of men who are opposed to the government's use of state brutality to destroy all individuality and choice, decide to use Alex as an example for their cause.

Firstly, I must point out that Burgess uses an experimental language, Nadsat, a mix between Russian and English slang words, in order to create a coded language that the book's narrator consistently uses. Examples include 'droogs' as mentioned above, 'nochy' which means night, 'platties' meaning clothes, 'rooker' being an arm and so on. When I first started the book, I wasn't entirely sure I would even finish reading it. Initially, I found the Nadsat language off-putting, but by the end of the book I felt like I was strangely a part of Alex's world and thoughts, and even knew what the words meant without having to look them up. This, however, leads onto my other concern. Part One of the book was extremely troubling due to the basic nature of the story. Alex is a sociopath, and we are privy to his innermost thoughts, yet we are also given a first hand view of his amoral and violent actions. It felt, quite simply, voyeuristic. Cleverly on Burgess' part however, nothing is overly described. I personally felt that there was just enough detail to give a simple picture of the violence, and the rest was left to my imagination.

This brings me onto Alex himself. As the narrator, and arguably the protagonist, he subjects the reader to a horrific moral dilemma. He is unruly, repulsive and brutal, however I would suggest he is simultaneously a charismatic figure. He is bright, extremely knowledgeable and somewhat obsessive regarding classical music, and honestly doesn't regard his violent crimes as a major problem. His initial behaviour is shocking and animalistic, especially his calculated decision to ply two young girls with alcohol and rape them, yet for some inexplicable reason I pitied him during the gruelling therapy and on his hasty release from prison. Society isn't entirely sure what to do with him, and how they actually want him to behave. Thus I personally view him as a tragic figure, who does mature to a certain degree, but he ultimately ends the story with a somewhat fatalistic attitude to the cyclical nature of violence and crime. Dare I say a dark coming-of-age story?

Would I recommend this book? To those not easily offended, most definitely. Any writer who can create such a beastly character yet still evoke feelings of pity must certainly be praised. If this was on a syllabus at university, I would gladly have written endless academic essays on it. A short review like this doesn't really do it justice, hence my rather brief and fairly obvious statements. Overall it is an incredibly haunting novella, namely because of Alex and his misdeeds, but also I would cite Burgess' knack for exploring troubling components in society. Although written in 1962, this story easily transcends to the modern day, where there are constant fears of troublesome youths armed with weapons, and no-one offering an effective solution of how they should be dealt with. It is ultimately a novella of dystopian extremes. Alex's extreme sociopathic tendencies; the extreme therapy to 'cure' him of his violent ways and make him a limp, characterless puppet for society's will; the extreme brutality and corruption within the police force and government; the extreme manipulation of the men who wish to use Alex as a political tool. I found it captivating, and the one word I would consistently use to describe this story would be haunting.

All Kindled up

Another year gone, another year of mad Christmas panic is over and done with. Christmas is undoubtedly my favourite time of year, but it seems to be a long, hideously drawn out process which is all, quite simply, for one day. The build-up easily begins around September time, with advertisements for children's toys, celebratory food, artists vying for the number one Christmas single, even my poor inbox is overloaded with 'SALE!' emails attempting to extract more money from my already depleted bank account.

Then, of course, comes New Year. I can't say I've ever really been a fan of the whole NYE frenzy, or perhaps I'm incredibly bitter that I've clearly never been to a decent welcoming-of-the-new-year party. Now that I'm older (and unfortunately teetotal), NYE seems incredibly...forced? Everyone simply MUST attend a party and MUST enjoy themselves, preferably with alcohol. As 2011 was in its death throes, I was quite happily watching back-to-back episodes of Peep Show and, of course, Jools Holland. Inevitably, I cursed myself that I should be doing more, should be at a party or large social gathering. A) I wasn't invited anywhere and B) I think we are all conditioned to think this. However, enough of my ramblings.

Aside from my complaints, I'm always incredibly grateful for the gifts that I receive around this time. This year (well, last year now!) I was lucky enough to receive the brand new slimline Kindle. It was a complete shock as I hadn't really made any comments about it, or any other form of E-Reader. As I've previously mentioned, reading and myself haven't exactly seen eye to eye for pretty much 2 years or so. I've really struggled to devote myself to any books, as the desire and drive just isn't there. Depressing in a way, as I have always had a passion for reading and the written word, how ironic. I have a stack of classic books that I'm desperate to read, but inexplicably can't face them. I told a lie, I have had a vague conversation regarding E-Books. I recall that I was slightly haughty, and said that I much prefer the physical closeness that a book provides, holding it in my hands and turning the pages. Hence my surprise on Christmas morning to pull back the wrapping paper and see a Kindle box staring back at me.

I do still love a physical book, in fact I received three rather beautiful leather bound copies of classic books which now sit proudly on my bookcase, still wrapped in their plastic which I'm terrified to take off. But I'm hoping that the Kindle will be my own personal New Year. A new start, a new me where I rediscover my love of literature. As it is such an expensive present, that does provide the impetus somewhat!

I've only made one purchase thus far, that of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It is one of my favourite texts to read, despite being only a few pages long. One small step for the Kindle, one giant (?) leap for me.

All the signs of change are there, but what to buy and read next?....