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hollywatson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Gore, Sexual violence, Rape, Cannibalism, Domestic abuse, Body horror, Infidelity, Sexism, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Animal death, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Torture
hannahbisbis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Misogyny, Incest, Animal death, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Rape, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Murder
alexhaydon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ballard does a great job of making the High Rise seem both labyrinthine and vast, while also suffocating and claustrophobic. The wonders of the Tower's facilities quickly descend into settings for gore and great misfortune. The tension Ballard builds is so tangible and visceral I was feeling the need to look over my own shoulder! A lot of reviews rightly draw comparison between High Rise and Lord of The Flies, and it definitely resembles the old classic, but dare I say its modern tower block stage made its subconscious commentary on the regression of civilisation and society much more poignant. At the end of my copy there is a brief interview with Ballard and he explains how due to his previous life experiences, he is very much aware that our everyday lives and human comforts can be 'dismantled overnight'.
My only qualms with this novel were its female characters...I would have enjoyed a female perspective, rather than seeing them largely as victims and servants. Perhaps this is a commentary in its own way but it did get tedious. Lastly, it got a bit repetitive at times, towards the halfway and 2/3 mark it seemed to need to find its footing again but this didn't grate on me too much.
Overall I'm excited to hear of other people's experience with this novel and look forward to reading more Ballard...just hopefully with a more diverse cast list.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Murder, Classism, Confinement, and Gore
mariska17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Colonisation, Death, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Incest, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Vomit, and Cannibalism
twilightsun1125's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
heathermesley's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Excrement, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
annavonwillingh's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Excrement, Gore, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Vomit