The increasing domination of technology controlled by self-centered powerful elites at the expense of caring consideration in our current world and the efforts of a rampant virus to wake us all up to the need for mutual cooperation has spurred me to interrupt my reading of Aldous Huxley’s ‘Antic Hay’, to return to his ‘Brave New World’, a visionary dystopian novel published in 1932 that I last read almost fifty years ago. Here is the frontispiece and the title page of my Folio Society copy:
Perceptive readers will appreciate that this has been prompted by my current difficulties in gaining refunds of fraudulent removal of sums from my bank account. I have today received the payments in my on line banking statement, but the e-mail informing me about this stated that it would be ‘a temporary credit …. pending investigation’, so I am not holding my breath.
I began the day with skim-reading revision of Huxley’s philosophical masterpiece. I skimmed along at a reasonable rate. The pace slowed as I was drawn in by the author’s fast moving prose and intriguing story. Soon I ceased skimming and savoured every word.
This was another of Huxley’s explorations of the dichotomy between reason and passion; between uniformity and individuality; between science and art.
The binding of my Folio Society edition has a shiny silver coating reproduced as black by my scanner, and this front board carries a faceless version of one of the
powerful full page drawings by Leonard Rosoman, totally in tune, as is his wont, with the text.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s delicious cockaleeky stoup (chicken and leek stew/soup) and fresh bread with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2019.
Oh Derrick, you have expressed the current situation so well in your opening paragraph! Thank you for these delightful drawings too – I think I may return to Aldous Huxley. He has never disappointed me.
I’m pleased you appreciate that, Anne. Thank you very much.
Interesting…I’ve been meaning to read Brave New World again. Or maybe not 🙂 Thanks for the reminder, Derrick.
🙂 Thanks very much, Donna.
I’m echoing Anne’s comments!
I appreciate that, Sheree. Thanks very much
I feel your pain. Two years ago, I went through something similar with PayPal Credit when an $800.00 cash withdrawal was debited to my account. I had to go through tons of paper work and back and forth emails. I was made to feel as if I were the guilty one. They removed the $800.00 debit, but then closed my account and I was told I couldn’t use PayPal Credit ever again…and then less than a year later they were sending me invitations to open a NEW PayPal Credit account.
I’ve got my copy of Brave New World on the way. Great post, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Paul – for the solidarity and for following the book recommendation.
Those drawings are absolutely exquisite.
I’m pleased you think so, Sue. Thanks very much
Wow! What an unpleasant mess…
We really are living in a futuristic world. Who would have dreamed, aside from Huxley, that it could be like this!
Hope you get everything straight at the bank!
Fingers crossed I think it is resolved now. Thanks very much, Dwight.
Great!
It could be a brave new world Derrick, or maybe, it’s a crazy new world… Thank you for the scans, the drawings are fascinating…
I know you usually like the drawings, Ivor. I’m pleased. Thanks a lot.
They are very thought provoking….
I love the drawings. Technology has moved away from making life easier. It’s not currently a brave new world.
Quite so, Gary. Thank you very much
Rosoman’s illustrations to this very powerful novel are even more dynamic than the ones for Point Counterpoint, justified by the subject matter, of course. I am sorry to hear that your review of The Brave New World was brought on by your ongoing banking trials and tribulations, Derrick.
🙂 Thank you very much, Dolly. The American election ‘debates’ also had a bearing, I am sorry to say.
To say that we are sorry is the understatement of the century, Derrick. The circus called “debates” is not even worth a comment.
Quite so
It seems I should have read Brave New World, but I don’t think I have.
I just found my copy in the “have read it” section of my bookcase, but darned if I can remember it. Apparently this very yellowed Bantam Classic was purchased by Jean Cutting in 1968 for a government class. No illustrations.
The drawings are appropriately scary. I applaud your persistence with the bank and hope the situation is well resolved.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. Hopefully.
That’s one I haven’t read. On the very long TBR list.
Thanks very much Laurie. Could be done in a day
Brave New world. We have included this in our book discussion before, years ago. Speaking of the alphas in a futuristic world.
Yes. Thanks a lot, Arlene
Now that you have mentioned the book, I think I did read this one, way back in high school. World events are pretty surreal. I like to spend time out in the garden forgetting about them, for a while.
I hope the monetary problem with the bank is resolved quickly, to your satisfaction.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. I think the bank is resolved.
Here is wishing an expeditious end to the horrific fix you are in for no fault of your own. Your references to the Brave New World are not lost on me even though I haven’t read the masterpiece. You have an envious collection of folio editions not seen around these corners of the planet.
Thank you so much, Uma. Bank issues seem resolved. I was Member of Folio Society for 50 years. It was hard to stop, but I’ll never read all my books now 🙂
Bu then I am sure you will!
A great book by a wonderful author! I haven’t read it since college. (Eons ago! 😉 )
The illustrations are rich with emotions!
Yes, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we HAVE to brave in this new world we find ourselves in.
MORE UGHS on all of the struggles with the banking, etc. 🙁
MORE HUGS for the UGHS!!! 🙂
<3 to you and to Jackie!!!
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Impressive drawings.
Thanks very much, Rupali
Very powerful drawings indeed! I hope the problem with the bank will be solved permanently 😅
Thank you very much, Ribana
i’m glad the bank mess has been resolved, Derrick. the drawings are excellent! 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola
It’s been a long time since I read Brave New World, and my copy certainly did not have the marvelous illustrations of yours. I seem to remember though that it only rained at night, which is a feature I can appreciate, 🙂 but I suspect I might now find his discussions of women and their bodies particularly dated and creepy.
I hope you get the bank problems straightened out. What a pain!
Thanks very much, Merril. You are right about women and their bodies, although this also applied to men. I think the bank problem is sorted now.
It’s been a long time since I read the book. 😀 Good news about the bank.
Thanks, again
Those drawings are amazing.
I’m pleased you thought so, More. Thank you very much.
I keep meaning to read more Huxley, as Brave New World is the only book of his I have read. However, I also want to read more Waugh, and more blogs…
The blogs really get in the way 🙂 Thanks a lot, Quercus
As time goes on Huxley will fade in my memory and the blogs will remain. 🙂
I just wish Jackie had time to blog, I’d love to see some of her insights. 🙂 Though you could say the same for Julia and Mrs T…
Indeed. 🙂