I don’t remember the last time something shocked me. And it's not only about the horrifying things described by the author, but also about the realization that Burgess's future is very similar to our present and we may well repeat this unenviable plot. ⠀
The cynicism, selfishness and soullessness of the characters amazed me more and more with each chapter.
This book should be read by everyone to think for a second where we are heading.
The world of the future suffers from overpopulation. ⠀
Plants and animals are infected with an unknown infection. There is practically no natural food left, everything has been replaced by synthetic food, but its reserves are rapidly decreasing.
The government is doing everything to reduce the birth rate. ⠀
A person, of course, has the right to marry. He even has the right to one birth in the family, but it is better for him not to do this, since homosexuality is actively encouraged by the authorities, and heterosexuals are viewed as the scum of society creating new hungry mouths.
Homosexuality has become not only the norm, but also a ticket to life, for example, as a way to move up the career ladder.
Child mortality is encouraged. ⠀
Since any work in this new world is not worth a penny, especially cunning mothers manage to give birth like cats, and then drown their "kittens" for the sake of "incentive" payments. No one will put them in jail, condemn, and even ask unnecessary questions. Died and died. The main thing is to avoid overpopulation.
With each passing day, food supplies are getting smaller, daily rations are being cut, wages are being cut, strikes are starting. Laws are getting crazier and crazier. ⠀
To heighten the pressure, the authorities create a population police. And where the police are, there are informers. ⠀
The punishment for childbirth is the death penalty.
Humanity needs laws so that it does not turn into a cruel, bloodthirsty and senseless crowd. But as this work shows, one state law is not enough, moral laws are also needed.
I am not a believer. But in this work, for the first time in my life, I thought about the benefits of religion as a restraining mechanism. ⠀
If there is no God, then everything is allowed.