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strange4real's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-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? Yes
2.75
vkellermann89's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
This is a re-read but even though I’ve read it many times I still have it as a five star read. Also it’s a great novel to start with when getting into J.G. Ballard.
vonderbash's review
3.0
1 star for the story, 5 stars for the narration.
I'm not sure what Mr. Ballard had against dogs, but it's a bit much. However, based on this 7 hour audio book, I have officially learned that I would listen to Tom Hiddleston read anything.
I'm not sure what Mr. Ballard had against dogs, but it's a bit much. However, based on this 7 hour audio book, I have officially learned that I would listen to Tom Hiddleston read anything.
cpoole91's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
3.0
wardhammer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.0
hakimbriki's review against another edition
2.0
I tried, guys.
The premise of this book had me hooked, and the first five chapters were brilliant. However, as the plot unfolded, I found myself getting bored out of my skull. Most of the characters were completely uninteresting, and acted like 5-year olds with grotesque motives.
It's a pity, really, because I really wanted to like High Rise. The concept seemed intriguing.
The premise of this book had me hooked, and the first five chapters were brilliant. However, as the plot unfolded, I found myself getting bored out of my skull. Most of the characters were completely uninteresting, and acted like 5-year olds with grotesque motives.
It's a pity, really, because I really wanted to like High Rise. The concept seemed intriguing.
chinnabuns's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
ganzfeldstate's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book, but can't see myself reading it again (a bit like 1984). It was a bit Lord of the Flies meets F Scott Fitzgerald by way of American Psycho - I'd like to think my scientific background really shows in my inability to write a decent review. Maybe I'll update it when we've had book club and I can steal my more eloquent pals' ideas.
hewlettelaine's review
4.0
This book has a brilliant opening scene - a man sitting on his balcony, eating roast dog. Robert Laing takes up residence in a new, modern (in the 1970s setting) sky-scraping tower block designed to provide the best in living experiences for its tenants. It's a self-contained community with its own shops, swimming pools, recreation areas and a school for the children. Pretty rapidly, however, the mood inside the building changes. Systems begin to fail and the residents begin to turn on each other.
I really enjoyed this book. The three key characters of the novel show illuminate the different levels of the tower blocks evolving social hierarchy. Wilder, a lower floor resident all brawn and masculinity, takes on his ascent of the block like a wild animal. Anthony Royal, the architect of the complex in his penthouse luxury, trying to keep his place on top. And then Laing himself in the middle, an affluent doctor who remains almost irritatingly passive throughout but finds that the increasingly brutal life of the High Rise unlocks his own deep-hidden darkness.
It is never made clear why life in the High Rise deteriorates as it does but the clue to Ballard's feelings about it are clearly in the nature of the building itself. The tower block exists as a character in its own right - a giant of concrete, glass and stone that opens itself like a labyrinth for its residents to get lost in. As conditions within become increasingly awful, instead of leaving the building, the tenants become increasingly insular and give themselves up to the pull of the behemoth that is attempting to devour them.
Whilst the premise of the book is clearly dystopian fantasy, this is a really fascinating exploration of human psychology and what we might be capable of when the lights go out.
I really enjoyed this book. The three key characters of the novel show illuminate the different levels of the tower blocks evolving social hierarchy. Wilder, a lower floor resident all brawn and masculinity, takes on his ascent of the block like a wild animal. Anthony Royal, the architect of the complex in his penthouse luxury, trying to keep his place on top. And then Laing himself in the middle, an affluent doctor who remains almost irritatingly passive throughout but finds that the increasingly brutal life of the High Rise unlocks his own deep-hidden darkness.
It is never made clear why life in the High Rise deteriorates as it does but the clue to Ballard's feelings about it are clearly in the nature of the building itself. The tower block exists as a character in its own right - a giant of concrete, glass and stone that opens itself like a labyrinth for its residents to get lost in. As conditions within become increasingly awful, instead of leaving the building, the tenants become increasingly insular and give themselves up to the pull of the behemoth that is attempting to devour them.
Whilst the premise of the book is clearly dystopian fantasy, this is a really fascinating exploration of human psychology and what we might be capable of when the lights go out.