BRAVE NEW WORLD

Huxley's visionary novel of social engineering postulates a future world in which for the sake of social stability drugs and sex and mindlessness replace truth and beauty. It became a classic almost from its publication. Peter Firth concentrates on the dialogue, giving us vivid characterizations and plenty of drama. His narrative, however, is flat and graceless, a disservice to Huxley's descriptive powers. Worse are the instances of total misreadings--rare, but glaring. While students may find this recording more enlightening than Cliff's Notes, those who listen for pleasure should pass this by. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: NOV/DEC 97]