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robertwhelan's review against another edition
1.0
Didn't enjoy this at all. Unbelievable premise, unbelievable character motivations. The whole book was annoying to read.
The one good thing I have to say about this book is that at least it was short.
The one good thing I have to say about this book is that at least it was short.
apfelahmed's review against another edition
3.0
الفكرة حلوة.... يمكن بناء الشخصيات مكنش أفضل حاجة ممكنة
kaceyjoy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have complicated feelings about this book because it's uncomfortable, but it is entertaining and I can listen to Tom Hiddleston read anything. Helped by the fact that I saw the movie first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Incest
sverocchia's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thinkspink's review against another edition
4.0
My favourite Ballard so far, chilling and plausible in places, with some memorable characters.
deertick's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jrlagace's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mchapmansydney's review against another edition
5.0
What is humanity and where does it go when nobody’s watching? This was an interesting book until it was a horrifying book until it was a soul-scratching and brain-quenching book. It asks some of the most interesting questions that books can by asking nothing, just presenting a world with a minor change. Genius. There was a thought I had after one particularly spiritually grotesque moment, if this was a nature documentary, we wouldn’t blink. Because despite our efforts to the otherwise, humans aren’t animals. There is something within us, not just communication, use of tools, opposable thumbs, something in our hearts that is different, and yet, even that can be stripped away. A human without its humanity is not quite an animal, but it’s something far more disgusting. No doubt his experience in a prisoner of war camp provided ample material for the inhumanity of people under certain conditions. Ballard created a work unlike anything I’ve read, and something that repulsed and attracted me in equal measure. But as far as books go, something that can make me think and feel so deeply is rare and, while maybe not something I’d easily recommend to friends and family, will surely linger within me.