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Brave New World

THE NOVEL | THE TEXT

Brave New World, first editionFirst edition
Publication details ▽ Publication details △

First publication
1932

Literature form
Novel

Genres
Literary, science fiction, dystopian

Writing language
English

Author's country
England

Length
Approx. 65,000 words

Notable lines and passages

First lines

A squat grey building of only thirty-four storeys. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State's motto, COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY.

Passages

"You can't consume much if you sit still and read books."

"Well, I'd rather be unhappy than have the sort of false, lying happiness you were having here."

"Universal happiness keeps the wheels turning; truth and beauty can't."

"The optimum population," said Mustapha Mond, "is modelled on the iceberg—eight-ninths below the water line, one-ninth above."
"And they're happy below the water line?"
"Happier than above it.

"It isn't only art that's incompatible with happiness. It's also science. Science is dangerous; we have to keep it most carefully chained and muzzled."

"He was a philosopher, if you know what that was."
"A man who dreams of fewer things than there are in heaven and earth," said the Savage promptly.

Last lines

There was no answer. The door of the lighthouse was ajar. They pushed it open and walked into a shuttered twilight. Through an archway on the further side of the room they could see the bottom of the staircase that led up to the higher floors. Just under the crown of the arch dangled a pair of feet.
"Mr. Savage!"
Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east....

 

THE NOVEL | THE TEXT

See also:

George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-Four

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Book cover
Brave New World

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