Brave New World | Ch. 8.3 – Alone, Bleeding, and Dreaming of a Better World

In this emotional finale to Chapter 8, Jennifer and Dan follow John the Savage through the painful moment that defines him. Rejected by his tribe for being different, stoned and bleeding under the moonlight, John realizes he belongs nowhere — not in the World State, not in the Reservation.
 When Bernard finally offers him and Linda a chance to go “home,” the stage is set for the book’s biggest collision: idealism meets reality.

Things to Listen For

• The Kiva ceremony and John’s brutal exclusion (“Not for you, white hair”).
• Bernard’s half-sincere offer to take John and Linda to London.
• Dan’s pitch for “John’s Underground Bookstore.”
• The first appearance of “O brave new world, that has such people in it!”

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

When dystopia gets too heavy, switch gears with these standout listens:

🎧 It’s Been a Minute (NPR) – Smart, funny, human conversations that help make sense of what everyone’s obsessing over.
🎧 The Last Appeal (Dateline NBC) – Lester Holt investigates the case of Robert Roberson, a Texas man facing execution despite mounting evidence of innocence.
🎧 The Blueprint with Jen Psaki (MSNBC) – Thoughtful political conversations about how Democrats plan to rebuild — and who’s actually getting it done.

Rate, Review & Follow

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us.

Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair-use guidelines. Some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing, but we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.

The material used from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and society. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here
to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, his estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, John the Savage, Linda, Bernard Marx, Lenina, exile, identity, loneliness, banned books, dystopia, Robot, Beowulf Rochlen, Jimmy Carter story, NPR, It’s Been a Minute, Dateline, Lester Holt, The Last Appeal, The Blueprint, Jen Psaki