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fraggle42's review against another edition
4.0
"Later, as he sat on his balcony eating the dog, Dr Robert Laing reflected on the unusual events that had taken place within this huge apartment building during the previous three months."
The story of the residents of a new self contained (ie. its had its own shops/bank/school) apartment block and their descent into barbarism as the services in the building start to fail.
An interesting look at what might happen once we start building arcologies and mega tenements and things start to go wrong.
The story of the residents of a new self contained (ie. its had its own shops/bank/school) apartment block and their descent into barbarism as the services in the building start to fail.
An interesting look at what might happen once we start building arcologies and mega tenements and things start to go wrong.
charlote_1347's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first of J. G. Ballard's books that I've read, and I really enjoyed it. Wilder, Royal and Laing were intriguing characters, each with disturbing eccentricities. The dynamic between Wilder and Royal was likewise fascinating, although it was also anti-climactic. The conclusion of the novel, however, was balanced by the ambiguous fates of its characters and the repetition it promises in the high rise's neighbour.
amandajmyers's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
mariagrazia_4's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
Noioso e ripetitivo. Capisco il tema e l'intento dell'autore ma non riesco proprio ad apprezzarlo.
bookwitch777's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.0
benjy697's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.5
jayseewhy's review against another edition
3.0
This book portrays a sublime ascent into madness. Filled with thrills, violence and a damning assessment of the human condition it was definitely a worthwhile read.
maxmagee's review against another edition
3.0
All in all I found this to be kind of dull, sorry to say. But I liked this bit:
"In the hours after midnight torches flared behind the barricades in the lobbies and corridors, where enclaves of five or six residents squatted among the plastic garbage sacks, inciting each other like wedding guests making themselves drunk in the knowledge that they too will soon be copulating freely among the sweetmeats."
"In the hours after midnight torches flared behind the barricades in the lobbies and corridors, where enclaves of five or six residents squatted among the plastic garbage sacks, inciting each other like wedding guests making themselves drunk in the knowledge that they too will soon be copulating freely among the sweetmeats."