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Liked It “Thomas More's short work on a "Utopia" has some interesting ideas and some a bit frightening. |
Didn’t Like It “Definitely not a book for me. Much too confusing.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Thomas More's short work on a "Utopia" has some interesting ideas and some a bit frightening.
Mike Buckaew wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
In this place there is universal health care and education for all, including women in the 16th century Europe. Other less appealing ideas are that all property is communial, you live with a family based on your occupation and you move house every 10 years amongst other things. But all in all an interesting read.”
“love the style and the language
sonya h wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
some humorous parts
disagree with a lot of the ideas, agree with some”
“This is my all time favorite book!”
Wise One wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good idealist book. Its a shame that no society will ever be able to achieve anything similar. Human nature will not allow it I think. ”
Mary L wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“In a very interesting way More paints his ideal state - state of Utopia. Here, all the virtues of men are cherished while all foolishness and - well, let us call them - all the bad things in society are non-existent, due to the very nature of Utopians, their state and the very way of their educational system.
Zare I wrote this review Friday, November 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Interesting book, a rather subtle critique of the European states of the time (especially when it comes to vanity of the rich and uneven distribution of wealth among the populace - again some virtues glorified in the book may prove obsolete today [because of that ever-lasting temporal element that stands between writer and the reader or maybe some political reasons] but were focus of many a debate at the time).
Man cannot but agree with many aspects of Utopia to be the very ideal - dedication to knowledge and constant strive to be better human being - but the required level of social maturity is so high that even today (maybe especially today) it may be considered to be way too high.
Again, society itself is not peace loving as it may seem at the beginning - when faced with conflict (forced upon them or caused by them - for territory e.g) Utopians won't hesitate to fight, but first they will extensively use their allies (motivated by political means - sounds familiar does not it) to end the conflict rarely entering the fray themselves. This makes them very modern and in my opinion less ideal society. Again, those societies that reach the level of Utopians can be forgiven to feel supreme to every other nation/society and to behave in the manner they do - but nevertheless this stains their reputation.
Very questions that arise in this book - like is it better to have free roaming citizenry without any restraints thus causing havoc on most on behalf of few, or to have ordered and disciplined society that will have limited liberties but live freely and under the benevolent government - are very common themes in SF literature (there exists no better example than Heinlein's "Starship Troopers").
Writing style may be difficult but don't give up - book gives a rather good view of human nature and a lot can be learned from it.”
“Based largely on Plato's Republic. An interesting read, perfect for high-school freshmen or ambitious intermediate school students.”
Daryl N wrote this review Thursday, October 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Definitely not a book for me. Much too confusing. ”
Kira T wrote this review Saturday, September 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“You must read it if you want to start arguing on politics.”
Bodan wrote this review Thursday, August 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a must-read for college so I didn't apprecate it as I should have and I should reread it. But I remember being told to try to find the satire in it. No doubt More had a different kind of satire and no doubt the Renaissance had their own kind of humor. So I would guess you should read it with that in mind. I should make time to read it again.”
Mary O wrote this review Monday, July 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Good food for thought. Somewhat hard to follow in the beginning, but it is written well.”
Michelle S wrote this review Monday, June 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
