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futurama1979's review against another edition
4.0
a brilliant critique of how self-centred people use social action movements for personal gain and image, a considerably more hamfisted and slightly stupid critique of second-wave feminism brought to the extremes. i thought the first three fourths of this book were really brilliant, actually, excusing the rare obligatory Ballardisms that veered it into more cliche territory. the end fell apart a bit, but still gripped me. at the heart of it, beneath the variety of political and personal philosophies being touted about, is a horror novel about a woman who groomed an entire island into grooming a sixteen year old boy, and taken just as that it is truly nightmarish.
it is the least overt theme in the book, which is saying something, as Ballard's themes are never covert in the slightest. and it's not covert, per se, but it's not discussed like environmentalism, like the nuclear age, like gender. it felt like the most present and consistent theme in the novel, though. the book begins with Barbara's manipulation of Neil and ends with Neil thinking he'll never be fully free of her even if he never saw her again. some part of him would always want to go back and be there for her. that's where the true terror and disturbance of the book lay for me; in how each adult on that island treated Neil.
there's something to be said about the recurring motif of the albatross both as an intentional symbol seized upon by Barbara, a set of false meanings that were bestowed on it by her vision of self-idolatry, and also a piece of visual symbolism in the novel and a representation of Neil. the albatross never thrived on that island. they recovered when the world was watching as Neil did from his bullet wound, and when the world got bored and moved on they were slaughtered again like they never mattered. living things being used and discarded to suit public sympathy or as some means to an end they aren't meant to survive long enough to see. this book really took up residence inside my head and Neil as a character will stick with me.
it is the least overt theme in the book, which is saying something, as Ballard's themes are never covert in the slightest. and it's not covert, per se, but it's not discussed like environmentalism, like the nuclear age, like gender. it felt like the most present and consistent theme in the novel, though. the book begins with Barbara's manipulation of Neil and ends with Neil thinking he'll never be fully free of her even if he never saw her again. some part of him would always want to go back and be there for her. that's where the true terror and disturbance of the book lay for me; in how each adult on that island treated Neil.
there's something to be said about the recurring motif of the albatross both as an intentional symbol seized upon by Barbara, a set of false meanings that were bestowed on it by her vision of self-idolatry, and also a piece of visual symbolism in the novel and a representation of Neil. the albatross never thrived on that island. they recovered when the world was watching as Neil did from his bullet wound, and when the world got bored and moved on they were slaughtered again like they never mattered. living things being used and discarded to suit public sympathy or as some means to an end they aren't meant to survive long enough to see. this book really took up residence inside my head and Neil as a character will stick with me.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
Simply brilliant! Nothing is what it seems and then everything turns again. Includes it all. Infanticide, underage sex, serial murder, tribalism. Controversial, gripping and a great read.
danfaust123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Good Ballard book for a holiday, definitely not one of his best but still a good read
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia
drewbios's review against another edition
One of the backcover blurbs says Ballard has talent to burn, which is true. Great style and imagination he's got, but wasted on this plot & theme, I feel.
jeremyhornik's review against another edition
3.0
I think I read too much Ballard. I'm probably just waiting for the next purge on this one. Maybe I'll read it once more for Auld Lang Syne.
Some island goes all gynocratic Lord of the Flies. Kiiiiinda misogynist.
Some island goes all gynocratic Lord of the Flies. Kiiiiinda misogynist.
jodi_b's review against another edition
2.0
I was disturbed by the Dr. Barbara character and I don't understand the purpose of her and all of the women on the island becoming man haters -- or killers. Sorry if that's a spoiler.
vkellermann89's review against another edition
4.0
[4.5/5]
“Death, for Dr Barbara, was a secret door through which the threatened and the weary could slip to safety.”
Wow... I’m lost for words, what a beautiful crafted tragic story... I didn’t much about this story going into it, but firstly it’s easy to read, and I was just trying to observe Neil after I realised quite early on that I didn’t trust Dr Barbara at all... but trying to be in Neil’s place with your own lost sence of being after his father died and a mother who is depressed, I was trying to see when the curtain would drop for Neil.
And contrary to some of Ballard’s other novels. This didn’t lose its momentum, holding back info from the read but giving a little more than he is giving Neil and I was invested from start to finish.
“Death, for Dr Barbara, was a secret door through which the threatened and the weary could slip to safety.”
Wow... I’m lost for words, what a beautiful crafted tragic story... I didn’t much about this story going into it, but firstly it’s easy to read, and I was just trying to observe Neil after I realised quite early on that I didn’t trust Dr Barbara at all... but trying to be in Neil’s place with your own lost sence of being after his father died and a mother who is depressed, I was trying to see when the curtain would drop for Neil.
And contrary to some of Ballard’s other novels. This didn’t lose its momentum, holding back info from the read but giving a little more than he is giving Neil and I was invested from start to finish.
cathepsut's review against another edition
3.0
Teenager Neil gets enchanted with animal rights campaigner Dr. Barbara. He follows her to the island St. Esprit, where the French plan to start nuclear testing, threatening a large colony of albatross nesting there. Dr. Barbara's plans are successful and very soon she turns the island into a sanctuary for all endangered wild life. Others join her and the community grows.
Neil tells the story. Eventually you start wondering, who the endangered species is on that island. On the back flap the book is compared to "Lord of the Flies". The story starts quite cheerful and sunny and then turns very sinister and - to me - disturbing. My reading became slower and slower, dreading each next chapter and what it might bring. I felt huge relief after finishing it and having managed to get out alive.....
Neil tells the story. Eventually you start wondering, who the endangered species is on that island. On the back flap the book is compared to "Lord of the Flies". The story starts quite cheerful and sunny and then turns very sinister and - to me - disturbing. My reading became slower and slower, dreading each next chapter and what it might bring. I felt huge relief after finishing it and having managed to get out alive.....