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I have to respect the impact this book has had. Reading it for the first time, I can see its influence writ large upon many of my favourite dystopias, from Brave New World to 1984. The oppressive controlling state forms the center, a direct challenge to the rising authoritarianism in Bolshevik Russia. The concept that happiness and freedom can directly oppose one another. These are big themes, dealt with in an impressive way.

Surprisingly, a lot of the world and concepts seem very timeless. The glass buildings to remove privacy are eerily reminiscent of modern glass skyscrapers (it brings to mind the Tate Modern in London which overlooks some expensive penthouses where people have been complaining). The rocket ships and surveillance is all very ahead of its time. There is also a very liberal view on sex and sexuality - very enlightened for its time.

The prose itself is on the poetic flowery side, which is not to my personal taste, but I can see it is well constructed and beautifully done. There is a kind of stream of consciousness flow to everything which can be a bit exhausting, but the descent to rebellion is well captured.

This is one of the foundational texts for modern dystopias. It still reads well and powerfully to this day, almost 100 years after it was first written