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A Clockwork Orange

Novel

About

A Clockwork Orange is a dystopian novel by Anthony Burgess, published in 1962. It explores a future society plagued by youth violence and delinquency, narrated through the perspective of Alex, a charismatic and troubled teenager. Alex leads his gang, known as "droogs," in acts of "ultra-violence," often under the influence of "moloko-plus," a drug-laced milk. The novel delves into themes of morality, free will, and the consequences of conditioning individuals against their natural impulses. The book is known for its inventive use of "Nadsat," a slang language that adds to the novel's futuristic and menacing atmosphere. Alex's journey takes a turn when he undergoes the Ludovico Technique, a behavioral modification treatment that aims to suppress violent tendencies but raises questions about the loss of free will. The novel has faced censorship due to its graphic content, yet it remains a powerful critique of societal control and the complexities of human nature.