Ryan Davis: Summer Reading

My summer reading list. Most of these are centered on themes of dystopia, totalitarian governments, philosophical fiction, and dark comedy or satire that all focus on human nature and the workings of society. The only exception to this is "Executive Privilege" which a legal, murder mystery thriller.

1984 - George Orwell
My favorite book from George Orwell. Amazing picture of a dystopian society.

Best part: "Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." Which basically means that those who are in power at the present, have the ability to manipulate the past (through propaganda, terror tactics, book burning, brainwashing, etc). Once you control the past, it is even easier to control the future because of the tremendous power you now hold. If people do not remember or understand the past, then they will not be able to fight against the tactics used by a dictator.

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
A society that is "perfect" in every way. All children are decanted (grown, raised) in test tubes and are formed into certain classes (Alphas, Betas, etc) that make up the society. The purpose of life is not to learn or expand the mind but for absolute pleasure, especially sexual pleasure which is unrestrained.

Best part: The "Savage" in the story realizes that society is lacking and desperately needs is control of their impulses, God, chivalry, chastity, and even the acknowledgment of sin.

Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka
A dark comedy where an average man who works ridiculously hard is transformed into a cockroach over night. I believe that the hidden message in this story is that a man who works so hard, day and night, without any other hobbies or interests can turned into an insect who does the same. He became what he was...but that is just one approach to take.
Best part: A guy turns into a cockroach!

Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
The captain of a riverboat somewhere in Central Africa tells of the trials he faces there and also gives deep descriptions of the people he meets.

Best part: Although I wouldn't say this is the "best part" its the best of what I got out of this book: the European companies that controlled the export of ivory from Africa enslaved the blacks there and would use them mercilessly. Whenever I read about horrible racism, its a fresh reminder of how easily man can hate anything that is different from himself.

Executive Privilege - Philip Margolin
A very interesting legal thriller about a murder mystery. A good book of its genre but not my type. Give me Orwell, Huxley and Wells or nothing at all.

Animal Farm - George Orwell
An absolute classic dystopian novel. I read Orwell's "1984" before I read this so that gave me an insight - "Animal Farm"is like a sped up and more parable-like version of "1984."

Best part: "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." Oh, I laughed aloud at that part. A classic must-read book.

A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Story of a modern society where crime (especially with young gangs) takes over the night time. Very intense and explicit but a true portrayal of what happens without proper parenting and proper law enforcement.

Best part: The language! Nadsat Dictionary is brilliant. I have found myself unconsciously using the slang..."and all that cow."

Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut
Few words to describe: Insane. Deep. Philosophical. Unpredictable.
I will not even try to give a brief synoptise of "Slaughterhouse Five" because I would do it no justice at all. If you are looking for something to blow your mind and force you to have to re-read it over and over to even begin to understand it, this is the book.

Best part: Kurt Vonnegut says "And so it was" after ever single mention of death - from the smallest instance to massacres. Makes you realize how easily we hear about death and don't think about its significance.