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A review by nastjarchive
High-Rise by J.G. Ballard
2.0
this (really bad) novel set in a luxurious residential tower in that descends into chaos and anarchy. the story follows the residents of the high-rise as they become increasingly detached from the outside world, forming their own social hierarchy and indulging in hedonistic behavior; violence, abuse, rape, cannibalism, incest, exposing the dark underbelly of human nature and the fragility of civilization
so the premise sounded great. but i really could not enjoy this novel… what i noticed right away was that this is a “telling instead of showing“ type of novel and i HATE that. in the first few chapters all the main characters were already aware of the situation in the high rise and where it will lead to. they’re psychoanalyzing themselves and the other residents and the reader gets told instead of shown what the underlying messages and themes of this book are.
besides that, it just wasn’t executed in a way i found tasteful. pity, since i really was looking forward to this.
so the premise sounded great. but i really could not enjoy this novel… what i noticed right away was that this is a “telling instead of showing“ type of novel and i HATE that. in the first few chapters all the main characters were already aware of the situation in the high rise and where it will lead to. they’re psychoanalyzing themselves and the other residents and the reader gets told instead of shown what the underlying messages and themes of this book are.
besides that, it just wasn’t executed in a way i found tasteful. pity, since i really was looking forward to this.