High-Rise

J.G. Ballard

1975

March, 2023

4/10

The premise of the book is very unique, and the progression/pacing of events feels good. However, how events progress feels strange: why would anyone just suddenly decide to start beating up their neighbors or just randomly kill a dog? And I'm not even going to comment on the sexuality nonsense.

In a vacuum, the ideas of the book are great. However, considering that anyone could at any time just leave the complex, their motivations made no sense to me. Because of this, the ordeal felt more like an obtuse metaphor for society (or social isolation?). I guess it's a good metaphor for societal hierarchies and their inherit meaninglessness and the harm they cause. But I'm not interested in picking metaphors out of an otherwise mediocre story.

Society collapses, leaving people forcibly locked in an apartment complex? Everything would be great. Richer people live on the higher floors (despite everyone being relatively rich), so everyone goes on a deranged, murderous rampage for literally no reason? It just didn't work for me.

Also, for each paragraph of events that take place, there is an equal or longer paragraph of explanations and thoughts. Considering that the reasoning doesn't make much sense to begin with, this is just an extra point against this book.

The writing is decent, and I do appreciate the ideas. In its current ridiculous form though, I wouldn't be surprised if the book was either a joke or intended as a comedy.