This vintage science-fiction novel set in a submerged future London was fascinating.
#sciencefiction
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Drowned World | 
This vintage science-fiction novel set in a submerged future London was fascinating.
#sciencefiction
pickIn this world, the population lives in artic regions and an expedition is checking viability of the half-submerged cities. Although order and chaos are represented by Colonel Riggs and Strangman, Ballard doesn‘t focus on the breakdown of society; he depicts Kerans‘ retreat inward, reverting to the ancient memories of the past. It echoes H.G. Wells and Conrad, but this dystopia doesn‘t have a moral, no overt warning about capitalism or colonialism.
A sudden destabilization of the sun seems an odd choice (now) to explain a warming planet and the melting of polar ice caps, but I guess in the 1960s the danger of carbon dioxide and the greenhouse effect were only just beginning to be understood.
So far, possibly because of recently read reviews, I am getting a strong HG Wells vibe. Very readable and slight foreshadowing of sinister things to come.
so-soIncreased solar activity strips away the Van Allen belts, increasing the temperature and radiation levels on Earth, which reverts to a Triassic climate. Humanity retreats towards the poles while memories encoded in DNA assert themselves psychologically.
The amount of very descriptive writing overwhelms the rest of the book, which reads like somebody telling you at length about a dream they had.
Not much sun today and if it keeps raining the title may be only too appropriate
pickA bit of a slow read that got better whenever it deviated from its lame hero-versus-villain plot.
One of my favorite Ballard novels, the tagged book takes place in a tropical London that is mostly underwater due to rising sea levels. I read this & Hello America, a companion novel, back to back. I liked Drowned World more but I definitely recommend both. Great prototypes of what is now called cli-fi. Since it is #MayMovieMagic I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention Ben Wheatley's perfect adaptation of another favorite Ballard, High Rise.
J.G. Ballard's The Drowned World & Hello America have different characters, & are set in different countries (England & America); but the common thematic concerns of global warming make them companion novels. The tagged book is the better of the two, but Hello America is definitely worth reading. Two forerunners of what is now termed cli-fi.
#ICanSeeTheSunInLateDecember
#WinterWonderland
@TrishB @Cinfhen
so-soStarted strong, but lost my interest along the way. I kept to it hoping it would improve, but no. Just a so-so read.
This 1970s Okinawa hotel has been given a modern facelift through the planting of these trailing vines. Which, in turn, remind me of the tropical setting and luscious vegetation of 'The Drowned World'.
I thought this one was just so-so, but I did appreciate the lush descriptions of submerged British cities, with only the tallest buildings poking out and animal and plant life reasserting their dominance. #wildworld #rockinmay @Cinfhen
pickWhat's not to like about JG Ballard? I've read quite a few of his books , and this one is as good as any of his . Any other Ballard fans out there?
pickDense writing style but lush imagery and conceptually fascinating. A Triassic future.
