A chilling alternate reality

Having recently read this novel in anticipation of Ben Wheatley's film adaptation, it was good to have the opportunity to hear the story read by one of its stars. Hiddleston's reading of the text seems to bring out the unsettling nature of the tale by its very calm clarity. The characterisations and accents of his co-stars are convincingly carried off, and I think that this will be a great companion to the film. This story of anarchy in a high class tower block is not for the faint hearted, and since Ballard's writings are turning out to occasionally be prophetic, it makes you wonder what really goes on behind the closed doors of the rich.

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7 people found this helpful

Not my favorite

I tried so very hard to like this story and in parts i really did.

I felt the story itself was ok but it just didn't grab me like i was hoping it would.

When reading the summery i though this book sounded great and the fact that Tom Hiddleston was narrating meant i was excited to start listening to this one.

In the end however i personal wasn't blown away with Toms voice. I found myself having to rewind this book on more than a few occasion as i kept loosing track of the story and nodding off.

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High-Rise

Brilliant!! 👏

I thought Ballard did a great job of pulling you into the mindset of the characters and their world. I really liked his style of prose - It made me feel the words rather than just read/hear them. The overall feelings I had were of claustrophobia, isolation and a sense of being tense and on high alert at all times.

The main thing that annoyed me was that many of the characters were leaving the building each day. Surely they should have been immersed in their world rather than coming and going?

The message from the book is nothing we don't already know and see on the news every single day - No matter how civilized we are (or think we are), this can all be stripped away in an instant, showing us for what we really are - primitive beings following basic urges.
The them and us mentality is hard wired and we will do everything to preserve the in group and tear down the out group. We adapt and hone in on the best chance for survival of our species - That's all we are really. We just like to think that we're more than that - better than that.

I personally struggle with accepting this, as I'm sure most do. I need to wear a shroud of cognitive dissonance to get myself through the day.

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Well-read

It is very well-read, but the novel itself is a little too pleased with its over easy slide into violence. Lord of the Flies is not a bad analogy, but Golding's may be the truer statement of man's innate tendency to evil. Here, certain beats seem to be missing in order fully to convince that, yes, this is how things turn out when the middle classes and privileged are willingly corralled. Don't they, as a rule, tend to turn on those outside their ivory walls, and not those who share the same space? As nightmares go, this one seems to hit a chord with others I don't quite identify. That said Hiddleston is very good, Ballard is a hypnotic and original eye, and there are some excellent set pieces.

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6 people found this helpful

damn wierd book, did not know what to expect

very odd but engrossing, not even sure I actually enjoyed it but could not stop listening to it, very odd.

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Creepily Oustanding

This story is a true insight to what could happen if the world were to crumble. Truly outstanding and a great listen with Hiddleston's voice controlling the narrative.

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Great voice, story has huge flaws,

There needed to be a reason for people to stay. For the poor the lack of any better option is understandable. News crews could be understandable. Why would the rich stay? Why would the outside not intervene? There has to be a better reason for isolation. This story has something important to say underneath all the unpleasantness. The story needed a bit more internal logic for me. Even if we take the abuse victim Stockholm syndrome metaphor into account there has to be some form of coercion to prevent people running away. It would make more sense if there was a mass exodus and only the stubborn / mentally ill remained.

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Scary and brilliant tale

A scary but brilliant tale, read beautifully by the smooth dulcit tones of Tom Hiddleston, who was reassuring and calm through the terrifying bits.

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Great British Dystopia

Ballard's thick description of each characters unravelling is unnerving. He seems to have a peculiar relationship with members of the medical profession in their portrayals. The narration was superb. Creating a screenplay from this novel was no doubt problematic!

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Dark, disturbing and brilliant

This is a dark and unsettling view of human behaviour. If you're looking for something cheery this isn't it! However it is brilliantly written, clever, funny and poetic.

Tom Hiddlestone's narration is superb. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

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