Island

Rating:
Summary: The book is alright but not spetacular
Review: I didn't think that it was very interesting. Personally I really liked Brave New World and exspected alot more then I got out of this book. It was just a bunch of boring discussions that didn't really go anywhere in the first place. A person can usually tell if a book will be interesting if he wants to finish when he gets to the half way point (i use that method for all the books I read and every book that was ever good got good at least half way through). Reading this book only kept me from reading another book more worth while. I saw people saying that this book changed their lives. Ha! I can't imagine how.

Rating:
Summary: An altered being
Review: I finished this book two days ago and I can't stop thinking about it. I'm no slack when it comes to knowledge about Eastern philosophy--I've been to Tibet and Nepal, into the monasteries, and made blessings at Buddhist Stupas. Of all modes of thinking, Buddhism probably best captures that essential element of all religions, that mystical and ever-present aspect of the universe. I've never thought it reasonable, however, to extrapolate Buddhist thinking into a functional and at least semi-modern society. In Island, Huxley creates this--an oasis of peace and spirituality in a working society that does not contradict its own Buddhist teachings. The book sharply and blatantly contrasts life on the Island to Western society and even Eastern society and their inherent problems. It's obvious Huxley is trying to send a message, that the world does not have to be the way it is, but he explains it and gives examples of it so well that his obvious message comes through as realistic and reasonable. The end is sad, and yet hopeful, emotionally ripping, and yet you feel somewhat indifferent to this end, which is exactly what the book is trying to say--that life has ups and downs and peacefulness can only be found when one lives detached from life's vicissitudes.
For all the English Lit. teachers out there, I'll be fair and say that his message is thinly disguised. It's right there out front and sometimes the book is even preachy. But, you only feel that *during* the book, and only in parts. By the time you finish though, all you can really do is say "Wow," and if you really want to do the book justice, just sit there...in a silence filled with awe and redefined perceptions. One more thing--tonight, I downloaded Brandenberg Concerto #4, and I have to say, I know *exactly* what Huxley is talking about. (awed silence)

Rating:
Summary: An altered being
Review: I finished this book two days ago and I can't stop thinking about it. I'm no slack when it comes to knowledge about Eastern philosophy--I've been to Tibet and Nepal, into the monasteries, and made blessings at Buddhist Stupas. Of all modes of thinking, Buddhism probably best captures that essential element of all religions, that mystical and ever-present aspect of the universe. I've never thought it reasonable, however, to extrapolate Buddhist thinking into a functional and at least semi-modern society. In Island, Huxley creates this--an oasis of peace and spirituality in a working society that does not contradict its own Buddhist teachings. The book sharply and blatantly contrasts life on the Island to Western society and even Eastern society and their inherent problems. It's obvious Huxley is trying to send a message, that the world does not have to be the way it is, but he explains it and gives examples of it so well that his obvious message comes through as realistic and reasonable. The end is sad, and yet hopeful, emotionally ripping, and yet you feel somewhat indifferent to this end, which is exactly what the book is trying to say--that life has ups and downs and peacefulness can only be found when one lives detached from life's vicissitudes.
For all the English Lit. teachers out there, I'll be fair and say that his message is thinly disguised. It's right there out front and sometimes the book is even preachy. But, you only feel that *during* the book, and only in parts. By the time you finish though, all you can really do is say "Wow," and if you really want to do the book justice, just sit there...in a silence filled with awe and redefined perceptions. One more thing--tonight, I downloaded Brandenberg Concerto #4, and I have to say, I know *exactly* what Huxley is talking about. (awed silence)

Rating:
Summary: A book that everyone should read at least once
Review: I first read this book when I was 15, and it had a profound and lasting influence on my life. Rereading it now, more than twenty years later, I still find it moving.

The characters in this book are a bit too good to be true: nobody is that well-balanced, that reasonable, that much in touch with themselves. And yet, when you read this book, you can't help feeling that people could be that well-balanced, could be that reasonable, could be that much in touch with themselves and with others if only they were given the chance, if only they were given the right sort of upbringing.

I can never decide whether this book is optimistic or pessimistic in its view of life. A little of both, I think. Huxley's optimism about human nature and the human spirit shines through, but it's tinged with a feeling of disappointment and concern for the future.

Read it. It's not some New Age psycho-babble crap. It may not be your cup of tea, but it's definitely worth the time it takes to read it and to think about what it's saying.

Rating:
Summary: Go Get It!
Review: I found this book lying in a closed dusty box in the basement where all of my dad's old books are. I had heard tons about The Doors of Perception so decided to give this one a try. If I say that this book changed by whole life it would be saying too much. But if definitely makes me wonder why we, the entire human race, are rotting away to glory when a "formula" for better and more fulfilling way to live is out there for us to take. It's in this very book. After reading this book I doubt there would be anybody who would not question the existing, decadent values and morals that bind us all. What a perfect mixture of eastern and western wisdom! I really recommend that this book should be a part of the curriculum in schools throughout the world. Oh ya the part about the mushrooms in that temple as part of the initiation process and the accompanying Shiva Vedic chants...it really can be the most awesome out of body experience you can have. Trust me I am from India. Bottom Line: Go read it and ask everyone you know to read it too. Spread the message and who knows maybe one day we could all experience Huxley's Utopia.

Rating:
Summary: Didactic melodrama
Review: I have read enough to know when I'm being preached to, and Huxley is unsuccessful in masking his assertions re: the human condition in The Island. I was very disappointed, since Huxley has the ability to write well, even about esoteric subjects (see The Perennial Philosophy, for instance), but ends up just making a hash of it here. Not highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Shipwrecked, but still alive
Review: I really didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I had hoped. The whole plot is essentially used as a device for Huxley to give his ideas about what a sustainable society might look like. Although I find Huxley to be a very good writer, this book was a little to authoritarian and condescending for me to enjoy. But, if you have ever read books that highlighted alot of problems, but never seem to give solutions, this is a good book to read. Many of the problems Huxley see's in modern society are brought forth with real answers applied to them. I have to admit that alot of his proposed solutions were very interesting and a breath of fresh air.

Rating:
Summary: Brave New World is better.....but I liked this more
Review: I think maybe Neubaten (I think that's your name) did read a different book...I thought it was excellent. The description of the society is more in depth than Brave New World but I can see how many people would find this uninteresting "ramble".
Someone else said that Huxley destroys his society in the last chapter - that's often what good books do. BTW, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest does almost exactly the same thing. I think the destruction of Pala was a warning of what greed is capable of and that not even a land of pure love and kindness is immune to greedy people.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and thought-provoking comment on society
Review: I wouldn't want to live on Huxley's Utopian Pala. I wouldn't be able to watch children starving to death on my 5 t.v. sets while thinking about how I am going to increase my income so that I can watch 10 t.v. sets at the same time. Life on Pala is much too earnest. Too much serious pursuit of health and happiness. I would need to let off steam in the same way that the Puritans had a respite from their quest for total goodness by frying a few witches. Total happiness is, like total goodness, too demanding. No wonder the residents of Pala don't seem perturbed that an evil dictator might take over their paradise one day. They are secretly as fed up with the pursuit of happiness as any normal person would be. That's why they choose not to use their superior psycho-spiritual skills to dreamweave the continued existence of their life-style.

Virtually every ingredient of Pala's utopian system exists, or has existed at some time in humanity's history. If you end up calling this book a spoof it's because your lifestyle, values, or values have been brought into question by Huxley's probing book, and you can't find a reasonable reply. Huxley is angry at the rottenness of society, angry that nobody REALLY wants a less rotten society, and angry that people cannot see that a less rotten society is NOT a utopian dream - that there IS a way to a better world.

New Agers should get out of their sweat lodges, put away their crystals and read this book. Then they would really know "What's What and What It Might be Reasonable to Do about What's What." Or at least have a better idea what New Age is really about, and how it developed. Actually everyone would benefit from reading this book. It should be compulsory reading in all schools. It helps removes the blinkers of rigid thoughts and beliefs. Although it is much more fun to watch WWF, sick movies, state-sanctioned murder by lethal injection, and bombs being dropped on foreign countries than to think or dream about, or try to create Utopia.

But Utopian Pala is also bit like Life itself? Both were created by the union of opposites. In Pala's case it was a union of science and mysticism. In both Life and Pala people prefer not to think that existence as they know it might, or will, end one day. And if it must end - what comes next? More of the same? Some things continue while other's don't - like the soul might continue while the body doesn't? Or is the ending total, final, absolute? Nothing continues?

This book raises more questions than it answers - questions that will always demand attention. That's why I liked it so much.

Rating:
Summary: Utopia as seen by Huxley
Review: If Brave new world is the scientific forecast of future, Island is the utopia of living based on religion and spirituality.The book is so much in contrast to Brave New World, at the same time it reflects the degradation of humanity and mankind and how the inteference of foreign elements change the course of evolution for a small island. If you felt sad after reading Brave New World, this book will bring light and hope about the future we dont know.