/lit/ - Literature

Yeah, sure, read it. It's both enjoyable and meaningful.
It's a critique on ruthless scientific progress, without the whining you'd expect of critiques.

>>1516224
Alright, thanks for the input! is it very science fiction-y, or is just dystopian?

dont choose brave new world
crude and naive extrapolition of his superficial observations and fears

>>1516234

I wouldn't call it naive, crude and superficial after much of what it's predicted has come true.

Anyway, if he needs good quotes to explain, it'd be a good book for that. It covers a lot of ideas.

>>1516234
except...y'know...most of those fears and predictions of his came true.

>>1516259
>>1516249

I'd agree with these two, I mean, Huxley taught Orwell French briefly at Eton, coincidence? Yeah probably, but it's probably the 2nd best dystopian novel of the 20th century, despite what the disgusted of /lit/ will tell you. Plenty of quotes, literally about as quotable as 'The Horror, the horror!' in a certain eponymous 'Dark' novel.

I haven't read all of them so I guess it's not an entirely fair judgement, but of the ones I have read I most enjoyed Farenheit 451. Bradbury's style is pretty accessible and it shouldn't be too hard to find significant quotes either, I know a lot of moments have stuck in my mind since finishing it.

Whatever you pick, good luck. This class sounds like it's gonna be fun!

>>1516249
That's much more debatable than it seems, which is why the guy uses the word "superficial." On the surface it seems like all of those values have come to pass but on whole Western society is far more obsessed with the gaining and possession of items as signs of status than Huxley's construction. Greed still rules the day, and in the world he had constructed people were mostly content with their placement within their system. What Huxley had invented was a structured caste system where the desire for upward mobility had been fine-tuned and minimized through science and social stigmas.
Huxley was brilliant at characterizing, bringing to life, his criticisms and reflections on Western culture. He was not a prophet, and what he predicted has not come to pass. It only seems like that on the surface, because on the surface of Huxley's work is some very bright, very apt, and very astute observations about how we as human beings are susceptible to both pandering and bribery.

Go with both Oryx and Crake & Brace New World
Compare and contrast dystopias.
Paper pretty much writes itself.

Brave New World hands down. I read it over the summer.
It is a classic, but it doesn't read like one. It's fast paced and interesting. Sometimes classics can get really heavy, but this one was pretty light for most standards.

Okay, thanks everyone for the input!

I figured Brave New World would be my best bet, I definitely ruled out Oryx and Crake as I'm by no means an Atwood fan, and the rest aren't quite as appealing based on what little I know about the plot.

>>1516280
My friend Serena mentioned that Bradbury had a very likable writing style, I'm considering Fahrenheit as a primary choice too. Thanks! And yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. I've hated English class ever since I've been taking it because it's so dull and simple, but this year we get an opportunity to expand and discuss. It's a gifted course to, so I've been going to school with all these kids for years, a nice tight-knit group.

>>1516303
Oh, no, it's 2 reports on just one book, you split the book in half and write a report on each half. I suppose they fear it'll overwhelm our small minds to combine.

>>1516215
random question:
Are you Canadian? Or is Atwood finally being studied outside of Canada?

And yeah, not sure what you're into, but Oryx and Crake blew me away. I'm sure there's a ton of stuff in there that you could write about.

>>1516442
Seconding Oryx and Crake! It seems to be the favorite among male fans of Atwood. Maybe because of the child porn part or something.

Huxley denied that We was an influence on Brave New World. Pick We and Brave New World and write an essay either defending Huxley or attacking him based on textual parallels or differences.

The Dispossessed or We. Oryx and Crake is also very good.

Please don't do Brave New World, Anthem and Animal Farm.

Brave New World definitely, I never got to read it in High School, would have been an enjoyable assignment. It's still one of my favorite books.

>>1516249
> Much of what's predicted has come true
Wait, what?

Fahrenheit 451
It's short and it would give you time to focus on the actual assignments.

I highly recommend The Dispossessed. Even if you don't read it for your report, read it for fun another time.

We and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress are also very interesting books and not as well known as some of the others on your list.

Oh how I miss high school english classes. I remember doing a choice book presentation of Gravity's Rainbow, it was the most fun I ever had.

haven't read all of these but i know that Farenheit 451 has a lot of good quotable material, and its pretty short