The Wanting Seed (Norton Paperback Fiction)

Anthony Burgess

This book was more satirical than his more famous "A Clockwork Orange" however it is an awesome...more

This book was more satirical than his more famous "A Clockwork Orange" however it is an awesome book to read. It challenges the roles of male, females and reproduction. I would not recommend it for people ho have difficulty seeing past literal meanings. If the text is taken at face value it will be offensive to people who are touchy with homosexuality and the role of women in reproduction. However, the book's intent is to criticize the views society has on sexual relationships. Its focus is on their effects, not only on society, but the government and economics as well, all the while criticizing the way human try to control the reproduction process.   hide

Pure crap. It's ultra-conservative, homo-phobic rhetoric, wrapped up by a very boring plot line,...more

Pure crap. It's ultra-conservative, homo-phobic rhetoric, wrapped up by a very boring plot line, and lead by uninteresting characters. It is, however, brilliantly written. One thing Burgess has a brilliant penchant for is his beautiful and descriptive prose. And the commentary is sickening; he suggests that a positive outlook on homosexuality leads to a Communist dictatorship where everyone starves, and the dead are just viewed as oppertunties to produce a chemical! And in his contrasting views he refuses to aknowladge the possibility of a universal acceptance of all genders and sexualities. It was utterly horrible.   hide

A bizarre and satirical read, but Burgess fails to make Tristram as provocative a character as Alex...more

A bizarre and satirical read, but Burgess fails to make Tristram as provocative a character as Alex was in Clockwork. Too many times I felt the British humor floating over my head, but nonetheless a provoking and comical vision is created.    hide

So good, its not just fiction, but provides social theory. I would honestly say that this book is...more

So good, its not just fiction, but provides social theory. I would honestly say that this book is better than "Clockwork Orange". Amazingly good book that not many have heard of.   hide

I was not as impressed with it as I was with Clockwork Orange. There are terrifyingly familiar...more

I was not as impressed with it as I was with Clockwork Orange. There are terrifyingly familiar moments, and some interesting qualities as far as construction go. Otherwise I feel mostly like shrugging and saying "it was... OK."   hide