The Wanting Seed

The Wanting Seed is a dystopian novel by the English author Anthony Burgess, written in 1962. Although the novel addresses many societal issues, the primary subject is overpopulation and its relation to culture. Religion, government, and history are also addressed. A healthy portion of the book is a condemnation of war. According to Burgess, "I have spent the last 25 years thinking that The Wanting Seed could, in my leisurely old age, be expanded... more

The Wanting Seed is a dystopian novel by the English author Anthony Burgess, written in 1962. Although the novel addresses many societal issues, the primary subject is overpopulation and its relation to culture. Religion, government, and history are also addressed. A healthy portion of the book is a condemnation of war. According to Burgess, "I have spent the last 25 years thinking that The Wanting Seed could, in my leisurely old age, be expanded to a length worthy of the subject." The noted literary critic, Mike Wilson, reportedly stated the book was too offensive to finish. The novel begins by introducing the two protagonists: Tristram Foxe, a history teacher, and his wife, Beatrice-Joanna, a homemaker. They have recently suffered through their young son's death. Throughout the first portion of the novel, overpopulation is depicted through the limitation and reuse of materials, and extremely cramped living conditions. There is also active discrimination against heterosexuals,... less