savageco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
thomasgoddard's review against another edition
5.0
Breathtakingly well written. It was believable, despite the surreal characters and events that happen. It had this authenticity to it, a scary insight into how human beings would really act in the wake of the collapse of civilisation.
If you loved High Rise then you will adore this novel. Pick it up immediately.
The descriptions are precise and have this sort of crystalline purity to them. A starkness to match the landscape. The interactions between people are tense. Its impossible to predict what will happen next, except one could be sure it would be brutal and born of some slight or a grudge whose origin is long forgotten.
I think this might be in my Top 10 at the end of the year. It is THAT good.
If you loved High Rise then you will adore this novel. Pick it up immediately.
The descriptions are precise and have this sort of crystalline purity to them. A starkness to match the landscape. The interactions between people are tense. Its impossible to predict what will happen next, except one could be sure it would be brutal and born of some slight or a grudge whose origin is long forgotten.
I think this might be in my Top 10 at the end of the year. It is THAT good.
fleurhoplof's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
tobyh_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ginamc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
wincher2031's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most perfectly crafted novels, sentence for sentence, I've ever read.
Ballard creates a dystopic future world that is beautiful in its desolation.
The characters are reflections of ourselves at first, relatable in their eccentricities.
However, these quirks gradually blossom into poison flowers: both fascinating and fearsome to behold, thirst takes over and even the most sturdy-minded are driven to commit atrocities.
The disintegration of human nature when in the throes of a post-apocalypse are painted here in intricate strokes, the writing is taut enough to rival any page-turner while tinged with a touch of the Southern Gothic, allowing each metaphor to stir up a universe of ideas all its own.
A flawless blend of in-depth characters, twisting story and worldbuilding to set the imagination ablaze. Endlessly re-readable without a doubt.
Ballard creates a dystopic future world that is beautiful in its desolation.
The characters are reflections of ourselves at first, relatable in their eccentricities.
However, these quirks gradually blossom into poison flowers: both fascinating and fearsome to behold, thirst takes over and even the most sturdy-minded are driven to commit atrocities.
The disintegration of human nature when in the throes of a post-apocalypse are painted here in intricate strokes, the writing is taut enough to rival any page-turner while tinged with a touch of the Southern Gothic, allowing each metaphor to stir up a universe of ideas all its own.
A flawless blend of in-depth characters, twisting story and worldbuilding to set the imagination ablaze. Endlessly re-readable without a doubt.
frahorus's review against another edition
2.0
Ballard stavolta immagina un mondo caduto in una tremenda siccità, tanto forte che si sono e continuano a prosciugarsi i fiumi e i mari, lasciando solo polvere e sale. Anche in questo caso la colpa è da imputare all'umanità perché, ci viene approfonditamente spiegato nella storia, ha inquinato con gli scarichi industriali (quindi scarti chimici) così tanto che si è creata come una rete - un polimero - che impedisce l'evaporazione dell'acqua e automaticamente non piove più. Il protagonista della storia, un dottore, si ritrova a dover sopravvivere in questo apocalisse di siccità, alla disperata e continua ricerca di acqua potabile, più preziosa di qualsiasi altra cosa.
Altro forte monito che l'autore fa a tutti noi se continuiamo a sprecare ma soprattutto ad inquinare l'acqua. Rispetto ai precedenti due romanzi dello stesso autore, ovvero [b:Il condominio|1352138|Il condominio|J.G. Ballard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523294651l/1352138._SY75_.jpg|2270643] e [b:Il mondo sommerso|1352195|Il mondo sommerso|J.G. Ballard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1369320250l/1352195._SY75_.jpg|988766], la lettura della storia mi ha stancato, non mi ha preso più di tanto. Ciò non toglie nulla alla bravura di Ballard, forse il suo tratto distintivo, nel descriverci e ben rappresentarci la psicologia dei personaggi che incontriamo e conosciamo. Ci può stare che, nonostante apprezzi un'autore qualche sua opera ti risulta meno piacevole.
Curiosità: a tratti mi ricordava il film Mad Max: Fury Road, forse per l'ambientazione desertica e di sopravvivenza.
Altro forte monito che l'autore fa a tutti noi se continuiamo a sprecare ma soprattutto ad inquinare l'acqua. Rispetto ai precedenti due romanzi dello stesso autore, ovvero [b:Il condominio|1352138|Il condominio|J.G. Ballard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523294651l/1352138._SY75_.jpg|2270643] e [b:Il mondo sommerso|1352195|Il mondo sommerso|J.G. Ballard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1369320250l/1352195._SY75_.jpg|988766], la lettura della storia mi ha stancato, non mi ha preso più di tanto. Ciò non toglie nulla alla bravura di Ballard, forse il suo tratto distintivo, nel descriverci e ben rappresentarci la psicologia dei personaggi che incontriamo e conosciamo. Ci può stare che, nonostante apprezzi un'autore qualche sua opera ti risulta meno piacevole.
Curiosità: a tratti mi ricordava il film Mad Max: Fury Road, forse per l'ambientazione desertica e di sopravvivenza.
whogivesabook's review against another edition
5.0
Breathtakingly well written. It was believable, despite the surreal characters and events that happen. It had this authenticity to it, a scary insight into how human beings would really act in the wake of the collapse of civilisation.
If you loved High Rise then you will adore this novel. Pick it up immediately.
The descriptions are precise and have this sort of crystalline purity to them. A starkness to match the landscape. The interactions between people are tense. Its impossible to predict what will happen next, except one could be sure it would be brutal and born of some slight or a grudge whose origin is long forgotten.
I think this might be in my Top 10 at the end of the year. It is THAT good.
If you loved High Rise then you will adore this novel. Pick it up immediately.
The descriptions are precise and have this sort of crystalline purity to them. A starkness to match the landscape. The interactions between people are tense. Its impossible to predict what will happen next, except one could be sure it would be brutal and born of some slight or a grudge whose origin is long forgotten.
I think this might be in my Top 10 at the end of the year. It is THAT good.
bibliomaniac2021's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
annknee's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0