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zhandlen's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating--brilliant premise, quick read, and the ending is perfect.
shelgraves's review against another edition
2.0
Pairs well with: William Golding's Pincher Martin: The Two Deaths of Christopher Martin, an excellent shipwrecked story with similar themes; the movie 127 Hours which also explores the thin line between the comfort and security individuals take for granted within a well-equipped society and how weak and vulnerable a person may rapidly become in isolation
Writers read this for: An example of in media res: The story begins when Robert Maitland's car crashes over a concrete barrier and evolves as Maitland struggles to find his way off the island. He comes to accept his isolation (no one will come to his rescue — he must make his own way). There's a clear character arc: from being afraid he'll be stranded on the island forever and quixotically struggling to free himself to realizing that he will eventually get off the island and becoming more peaceful, but also passive, about his fate.
Rules are made to be broken: The character of Maitland also exists within a concrete island. Very little information is given about who he was before being stranded on the island and how he feels about his loss of his former life — he deals with the situation by drinking himself into a stupor and acting out in a strange malaise. There are few other characters except for Maitland and the occasional passerby on the freeway until page 79 when two other enigmatic characters are introduced.
Quote:
"These days we don't notice other people's selfishness until we are on the receiving end ourselves."
Writers read this for: An example of in media res: The story begins when Robert Maitland's car crashes over a concrete barrier and evolves as Maitland struggles to find his way off the island. He comes to accept his isolation (no one will come to his rescue — he must make his own way). There's a clear character arc: from being afraid he'll be stranded on the island forever and quixotically struggling to free himself to realizing that he will eventually get off the island and becoming more peaceful, but also passive, about his fate.
Rules are made to be broken: The character of Maitland also exists within a concrete island. Very little information is given about who he was before being stranded on the island and how he feels about his loss of his former life — he deals with the situation by drinking himself into a stupor and acting out in a strange malaise. There are few other characters except for Maitland and the occasional passerby on the freeway until page 79 when two other enigmatic characters are introduced.
Quote:
"These days we don't notice other people's selfishness until we are on the receiving end ourselves."
ilman's review against another edition
4.0
Concrete Island was published in 1974 and it concerns an architect Robert Maitland whose car crashes over the concrete parapet of a highway into a patch of uninhabited wasteland below. He is trapped on a concrete island and he soon finds out that there is no easy way to escape. The passing vehicles seem to pay no attention to Maitland and his ordeal. What begins as an absurd predicament soon turns into horror, as Maitland realizes that there is no way out.
This novella can be viewed as a postmodern retelling of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. Like Defoe’s protagonist, Maitland is marooned on a seemingly deserted island, except that this island is made of concrete and, instead of ocean, his path to freedom is blocked by oncoming traffic. Ballard explores a theme of psychological isolation in modern society. Despite being surrounded by people in their cars, our protagonist is completely alone and there is no one who pays attention to him. This premise might seem absurd in the hands of a lesser author, but Ballard manages to pull it off. What we get is a very interesting parable about the contemporary state of a human being in a globalized society. At least that was my interpretation of this novella.
So, who should read this book? If you enjoy Ballard’s fiction, this novella is a “must-read”. If you’re interested in postmodern allegories and parables, you will likely find this book especially suited to your tastes. Any fans of surrealist fiction will probably find this book enjoyable. Overall, I liked this book and I think it’s my favorite Ballard book at this moment.
This novella can be viewed as a postmodern retelling of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. Like Defoe’s protagonist, Maitland is marooned on a seemingly deserted island, except that this island is made of concrete and, instead of ocean, his path to freedom is blocked by oncoming traffic. Ballard explores a theme of psychological isolation in modern society. Despite being surrounded by people in their cars, our protagonist is completely alone and there is no one who pays attention to him. This premise might seem absurd in the hands of a lesser author, but Ballard manages to pull it off. What we get is a very interesting parable about the contemporary state of a human being in a globalized society. At least that was my interpretation of this novella.
So, who should read this book? If you enjoy Ballard’s fiction, this novella is a “must-read”. If you’re interested in postmodern allegories and parables, you will likely find this book especially suited to your tastes. Any fans of surrealist fiction will probably find this book enjoyable. Overall, I liked this book and I think it’s my favorite Ballard book at this moment.
tierneybr's review against another edition
1.0
this might be a hot take, but being trapped for four days on a traffic island doesn't really justify peeing on a disabled guy. also this is a terrible book.
warmestmuffin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
gxuosi's review
3.0
it was such a strong concept that personally means so much to me and such a promising start that the 2nd act of the book being a let down was a just horrible blow to my morale
stink0's review against another edition
5.0
"'People are never happier than when they're inventing new vices'"
The suffocating loneliness and selfishness of the city. Maybe I want to be stranded.
The suffocating loneliness and selfishness of the city. Maybe I want to be stranded.
aprilaprilapril's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ballard depicts how our shiny modern life can be just one mundane catastrophe away from a descent to insanity, savagery, and base survival instincts. The MC Maitland is stranded on a concrete strip amidst busy highways and apartments, but is still nevertheless isolated in a landscape of rusted vanities and abandoned objects. Here, the capitalist altar of toys and technologies we keep reveal their true form of rubbish, and the true form of a human individual is perhaps the very physical and psychological desire for dominance, inextricably intwined with suffering.
eclecticheart's review against another edition
4.0
Concrete Island is an odd little book. A modern day Robinson Crusoe, I pictured it taking place (for you Milwaukeeans out there) under the Marquette interchange in some sort of alternate universe. Although it starts out as a man vs. nature tale, power struggles do crop up when Maitland discovers he is not the only person on the island.