I read the book back in 2018, and it is one of my favorites. Since then, the TV series with 9 episodes was broadcasted in 2020.
Recently, I borrowed it at the new Punggol One library, because a fresh paperback copy was there calling for me.
2018 and 2023 copy
A really efficient totalitarian state would be one in which the all-powerful executive of political bosses and their army of managers control a population of slaves who do not have to be coerced, because they love their servitude. To make them love it is the task assigned, in present-day totalitarian states, to ministries of propaganda, newspaper editors and school-teachers.
“And that,” put in the Director sententiously, “that is the secret of happiness and virtue - liking what you’ve got to do. All conditioning aims at that: making people like their unescapable social destiny.”
The Differences
The book was written in 1932, while the TV show is produced nearly 100 years later.
Since it is for a TV series, there are lots of adaptation to fit the pace of dramas.
And indeed there are lots of differences.
I am going to quote just one. In the book, Lenina Crowne is more conditioned, and she is happy to take soma to feel better. But in the show, she has more character and is almost rebellious. It feels like a total different person.
Do read the book first.