Which Book Is Better To Read? "1984" or "Brave New World"?

Question

Which Book Is Better To Read? "1984" or "Brave New World"?

Answer 1

Glad you're going to read them both. They're both fantastic books about dystopian societies.



I know everyone is going to say 1984 because it's the most commonly known book, but I have to say Brave New World. I read both books over 25 years ago and Brave New World is the one that has stuck with me. The concepts, the ideals... I found it fascinating - an advanced, hedonistic society with no true personal expression... In the year of "our Ford..."

Whichever you read, just enjoy!

Answer 2

I would read 1984 first. A drug that lets you escape is a lot more romantic idea to be left with than rats eating your face.

Answer 3

1984 because it's quoted and used in context a lot more.

Answer 4

I'd read Brave New World, and then Brave New World Revisited (an extended essay written by Huxley 25years alter).



1984 is a good book, I wouldn't say great. Although I have great respect for Orwell and always find myself agreeing with him, because he is and amazing writer. But to me a great book, holds my attention from cover to cover and leaves me with something I didn't start out with. The problem with 1984 is it starts off cruising along till you get to the last 1/4 of the book and you crash into a wall. Your like um...what happened i just want to finish now. It's like Orwell rushed the ending almost because it just kinda ends all of a sudden. There also a long part where the main character is reading a book aloud to you, and that book it very well written but it get annoying fast.



While Brave New World starts of a bit slow but in the end keeps your attention better through the whole thing and doesn't feel like a chore to finish. You should read both books.....especially since 1984 is often referenced and you even read modern books where you can compare what is happening in 1984 and see similarities. Besides you cant beat an explosive mixture of Satire and science fiction with totalitarianism and paranoia. Personally though between Animal Farm and 1984, Animal Farm is a much better read.

Answer 5

I have read both books and in my opinion, "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley is the book to read first.

Answer 6

Read Brave New World first:)

Answer 7

I had to read both of these for a class in school and we started with "Brave New World". "Brave New World" isn't as heavy-laden with political ideologies - rather it's not as outright in your face as "1984". While certain aspects of "1984" have stuck in my mind, I've always remembered "Brave New World " better.

Answer 8

Brave New World often rates higher with critics because it has more writerly stuff in it (Noble savages, a more realistic dystopia, etc.). It's probably more ambitious than 1984. But 1984 is way more relevant as a reference (Big Brother, doublespeak, etc.- these are all things you hear all the time), and it's an easier read and less muddled.

Answer 9

I didn't like 1984, and thus didn't think I'd enjoy Brave New World either, but I loved it. Brave New World is a little more emotional, and easy to read, whereas 1984 is very plot-oriented and rigid (much like the society it describes). While 1984 is considered a classic, I don't care for it and think Brave New World is a much more interesting read.

Answer 10

They are similar in the sense that they are the two best known, and critically acclaimed, dystopian novels of the twentieth century and they were written by two men whose lives crossed. Huxley briefly taught Orwell French at Eton and was rather critical of Orwell’s manuscript for Nineteen Eighty Four. I prefer Brave New World, I think it is the better novel. Nineteen Eighty Four, and George Orwell, seem to be rather trendy at the moment and that book is often referenced in pop-culture. In truth I prefer Orwell’s Animal Farm to Nineteen Eighty Four and I’d recommend reading it before Nineteen Eighty For if you haven’t read it before.



Why is Brave New World Better? Huxley’s message is more interesting than Orwell’s. Orwell’s future is grim and dark whereas Huxley’s is greyer. He plays more on the human condition and subtle mechanisms of social control. His society is one without mass coercion. Orwell’s is the antithesis of that. Orwell’s message is, perhaps, a warning about the dangers of ideology and centralisation of state power; whereas Huxley’s message is perhaps a psycho-social insight and critique.



Perhaps they are products of their time. Brave New World was published in 1932 during the brighter inter-war years, whereas Nineteen Eighty Four was published in 1949 as the world crew colder after the brutal Second World War.

Answer 11

I liked what Krokodil Gena said because the irony is that George Orwell always claimed Aldous Huxley (author of Brave New World) stole from We... The plot and characterization of 1984 are very well done. It's the better story. However the government isn't that well done and it's a bit unstable. On the other hand the plot and characterization of Brave New World suck but the way Huxley creates the government is brilliant. Especially how everything works together, and works well. It's also funny how close Huxley managed to predict the future. You can look around and see how sex, drug, and porn obsessed the people have become since 1930. Anyhow... If you want a good story read 1984. If you're interested in society, philosophy, and government read Brave New World.

Answer 12

They are both great books and I agree with the responders who have said read 1984 first, then Brave New World. Just a hint - Brave New World has a lot of Shakespeare references, so if you don't know much about Shakespeare, it would be really helpful to look some of those up on line as you read, or after you read. If you know what the author is referring to with those references, it will help you understand John the Savage a lot more.

Answer 13

1984 first and then Brave New World. They are both classics, so it's good you are reading both of them. The other famous book by Orwell is Animal Farm.

Answer 14

Both are good books, but I would read 1984 first. If you like these types of books, Fahrenheit 451 is also a good one to read, as well as On the Beach and Alas, Babylon. All apocalyptic type novels.

Answer 15

read them both, they're both an apt metaphor for loss of personal freedoms in modern life. 1984 is like conservatism gone horribly wrong. brave new world is like liberalism gone horribly wrong. although of the two 1984 had the biggest impact on me, i never trusted the government again. animal farm is a very good read too.

Answer 16

i read brave new world then 1984.

then a few years later i read them the other way round, and i felt i got much more out of each of the stories that way.

Also, after the second time, it made me think about both novels a lot, and the characters in each.

so definately read 1984 first.

or you could even read one, then a few different books in between, with completely different stories, then the other book, and you may get more from it.

it's up to you!

Answer 17

Both are amazing novels, true classics. But I reckon you should read 1984 first, mainly based on the fact the I enjoyed it more and it portrayed a great, yet disturbing, message to society.



Enjoy! :)

Answer 18

I would read



1.1984

2.Brave New World



3.then I'd go get "Animal Farm" and read it too.



4.then I would read "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury



They all fit quite neatly together. Good reading to you.

Answer 19

1984. It's amazing and haunting. It leaves a lasting impact.

Answer 20

I would say 1984.

Answer 21

I'd go with 1984, although they're both excellent books.

Answer 22

1984 is more interesting, while Brave New World is slower-paced and drags in places.