The Clockwork Testament, Or, Enderby's End by anthony burgess

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This novel is related to Clockwork Orange in various aspects. Here too, the question of a person's free will to do good or evil keeps arising. Additionally, Burgess takes up the accusations of glorifying violence in his successful novel (and Kubrick's film) by confronting his protagonist with similar accusations. This protagonist, a literature professor and poet, has contributed to the screenplay of a scandalous movie. Although it is clearly satire that is supposed to provoke - at least in 1973 - and the racist and not very likable professor creates all kinds of strange situations, unfortunately, I didn't find the book particularly interesting.

The connection to Clockwork Orange gives the novel a certain framework and context. The exploration of the concept of free will is a thought-provoking theme that adds depth to the story. However, the way the author presents the protagonist and the situations he gets into might not appeal to all readers. The use of satire can be a powerful tool, but it requires a certain sense of humor and an open mind to fully appreciate. In this case, perhaps the satire was a bit too extreme or the subject matter too sensitive for my taste.

Overall, while the novel has its merits in terms of its themes and the way it engages with the accusations against Clockwork Orange, it didn't manage to capture my interest as much as I had hoped. It might be a book that others would find more engaging and thought-provoking, but for me, it fell a bit short.

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GNashUchiha

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This was supposed to be the end of the character Enderby, and indeed, it does take place on his last day. Given that knowledge, one spends a significant amount of time in the novel attempting to figure out precisely how and why he is going to die. Enderby, an out of shape individual who is both a drinker and a smoker and has spent his entire life consuming English food, presents an interesting conundrum. Of course, one can make some educated guesses, but there is a certain element of slipperiness here.

Recently, Enderby has been commissioned to assist in transforming a well-known long poem into a film script. The resulting movie, upon its release, included various scenes such as rape, the debauchery of Nazis, sexuality involving nuns, and other rather controversial elements. If this description and the title of the novel immediately make you think about Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of A Clockwork Orange, well, that’s precisely the intended idea. Anthony Burgess, the author of the original novel, famously despised Kubrick’s version. One of the reasons for this is that the original American publication of A Clockwork Orange omitted the final chapter of Burgess’s book.

In that American edition and the film, the story ends with Alex having undergone the treatment and, in the penultimate chapter, attempting suicide, seemingly reversing the effects of the treatment. However, in the original version, the final chapter shows Alex essentially growing out of his violent tendencies. This is not to suggest that this is what always occurs with young people, but rather it places the choice to reform back into the realm of free will, or lack thereof, and not as something compulsory within the criminal reform system. Burgess also believed that the movie glorified violence to a certain extent. This is true in that it presents much of the narrative from Alex’s perspective, which, while making the audience more complicit in it, also has the unintended consequence of softening certain elements of the violence just enough to make it more palatable, thereby having the opposite effect of being truly horrifying.

Anyway, Enderby is also left scratching his head, not understanding how things have ended up this way. He doesn’t like the fact that a) he is being held accountable for someone else’s choices and b) the reactionary nature of the criticism. It serves as a reminder that “cancel culture” is not a new phenomenon, especially when it comes to reactionary criticism that aims at censorship rather than genuine critique.

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MarvinPY

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Quite funny, equally as tragic.

Probably partially autobiographical in a way, this story seems to blend the humorous and the heartbreaking in a rather unique manner.

It might be that the author is drawing from personal experiences, infusing the narrative with a sense of authenticity and rawness.

The comical elements could serve as a sort of coping mechanism, a way to lighten the weight of the tragic events that unfold.

Perhaps through the use of humor, the author is able to distance themselves slightly from the pain, while still allowing the reader to feel the full impact of the tragedy.

This combination of the funny and the tragic creates a complex and engaging reading experience, one that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, both laughing and crying along with the characters.

It makes you wonder about the author's own life, what they have been through, and how they have managed to find the humor in the midst of the chaos.

Overall, this story is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and the ability to find light in even the darkest of times.

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graveyardgothic

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

FX Enderby is my spirit animal!!!!

FX Enderby holds a special place in my heart. He is not just an ordinary being but someone who represents certain qualities that I deeply admire. His presence seems to inspire me and give me a sense of direction.

I find myself constantly drawn to his unique charm and charisma. There is something about him that makes me feel as if I can achieve anything. Maybe it's his determination, his unwavering belief in himself, or his ability to overcome obstacles with ease.

FX Enderby is like a guiding light in my life, always there to show me the way. He reminds me that I should never give up on my dreams and that I should always strive to be the best version of myself. With him by my side, I feel like I can take on the world and make a difference.

In conclusion, FX Enderby is truly my spirit animal, and I am grateful to have him in my life.

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meeau

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Good.

This statement is not only concise but also packs a punch. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them curious to know more.

Funny.

Yes, it is indeed funny. The way it satirizes American hyper-popular and -defensive culture is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It makes us laugh at the absurdities and excesses of our society while also making us reflect on our own behaviors and attitudes.

Sure.

There is no doubt about it. This satire is very incisive. It cuts right to the heart of the matter and exposes the flaws and contradictions in American culture. It is a wake-up call for us to see ourselves more clearly and to make positive changes.

In conclusion, this short but powerful statement is a great example of how satire can be used to both entertain and enlighten. It challenges us to think outside the box and to question the status quo. We should all take a moment to appreciate its humor and its message.

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MadisonLluvia

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

An awesome finale to the original trilogy.

One has to wonder if part four happens in heaven, hell or purgatory (or maybe in limbo?). This speculation adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the story.

In my opinion, this is the funniest Enderby so far. It's a laugh out loud book that keeps the reader entertained from start to finish. What I also liked is that this time around, we don't get to pity Enderby very much. Instead, throughout the book, he is standing up for his beliefs and acting in consequence. He shows great courage and determination, and it's refreshing to see a character who is not afraid to take a stand.

And then, he goes out with a bang. The ending is both exciting and satisfying, leaving the reader with a sense of closure.

Getting straight into part four, I feel lucky. I didn't have to wait 12 years like the contemporary readers. I can't wait to see what adventures await Enderby in the next installment.

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Saleenseven

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Burgess responds to the furore around Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange in a rather unique way. He creates a truculent and extremely un-PC comic novel. In this work, an Enderby poem serves as the source material for a movie that leads to the violent rape of a nun, similar to what unfortunately happened with real-life droogs.

The dyspeptic poet then appears on TV to defend his original work. However, sadly, Burgess’s flatulent steamrollering satire ends up trivialising any point he might have intended to make. The comedy seems to throw right-hooks at various groups such as feminists, creative writing students (in a squeamish chapter that one hopes is not autobiographical), talk show hosts, directors, uneducated “blacks”, and any other philistine who fails to worship The Word.

Enderby, who is here openly racist, homophobic, sexist, and repulsive, fortunately meets his end in little under 100 pages. The three stars mentioned refer to sentences like: “Their hair belonged to some middle crinal zone between aseptic nord and latinindian jetwalled lousehouse.” This kind of language adds to the overall strange and somewhat controversial nature of the novel.

It makes one wonder about the true intentions and messages that Burgess was trying to convey through this rather unconventional and perhaps even offensive work.

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squeegee-c

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This short novel has very little in the way of a traditional plot. Instead, it functions more as a means for Burgess to contemplate a variety of issues.

The character of Enderby takes center stage, perhaps serving as a spokesperson for Burgess' perspectives. While at times it may seem a bit old-fashioned, the humor remains solid throughout.

Moreover, there are numerous interesting stylistic passages that add an extra layer of enjoyment. It's not a story that will grip you with a complex and thrilling plot, but rather one that invites you to engage with the author's thoughts and ideas.

The combination of Enderby's prominent role, the consistent humor, and the engaging stylistic elements make this short novel a worthwhile read, despite its lack of a conventional plot structure.

It offers a unique opportunity to explore the mind of the author and gain insights into the issues that were important to him at the time of writing.

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Enderby #3

The Clockwork Testament, Or, Enderby's End

anthony burgess

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