Wow - how did my last post come across as me thinking BNW was controversial???? Anyway, I actually thought I had chosen the book because I have wanted to read it since 1968. I just never took the time. Good heavens, this is a book discussion group; if I don't want to read one of the selections, I'll opt out. I'm interested in expanding my reading horizons, believe it or not. Signed, the Family Prude.

Lord of the Flies

Just starting the "Lord of the Flies" thread. Please continue commenting on BNW if you so wish. As far as LOTF, I'm not really too sure what to expect. I'm sure it deals quite a bit with the nature of human beings and how they govern themselves. I'm pretty excited to read it!!!

Brave New World

I got my copy of "Brave New World" today in the mail and it came with a cool little biography of Aldous Huxley. I thought it was really interesting that Huxley was close friends with Lawrence and Auden, who were both very progressive thinkers/philosophers/authors of the early 20th century. From what I've read of Lawrence and Auden, they were both very worried about changes in society concerning technology and societal convention. Also, I believe both Lawrence and Auden were pretty provocative for their time. In the mini-bio, I read that Huxley came from a very prominent family of scientist, a profession Aldous wanted to follow, but he went blind for a few years, leaving him incapable.
So, I am going to be reading "Brave New World" with an eye open for Nature Vs. Man-made/Machine-type elements, basically blatant attacks on what was referred to as Futurism. And if Huxley follows Auden and Lawrence, I will also be looking out for explorations on tradition/social convention and absolute truth.