The Drowned World
The Drowned World by JG Ballard
Seeing as High Rise is one of my favourite books ever, and i’ve enjoyed other JG Ballard works, I was looking forward to reading The Drowned World for the first time. It didn’t disappoint. Almost instantly you’re transported to this unbelievable plant covered dystopian future that has flickers of the present, yet nothing is the same.
Due to a global event concerning Solar Flares most of the planet is either underwater, or too hot to call home. Plants and insane wildlife have taken over large portions of whatever is left, iguana’s are running rampant, and humanity is desperately trying to hold on to something it can call its own.
The story follows Doctor Kerans who decides to stay in the sunken city of London when the military move on. He’s grown an almost subconscious attachment to the place, and the overgrown views in front of him have began to haunt his dreams in what another character––Bodkin––believes is a direct link to a bygone era. The book gets extremely heavy in its philosophy in places, along with its endless description of flora. Together, that creates what can best be described as a daze, as you fear the future of the three remaining occupants while soaking in the unusual environment.
Inevitable, trouble comes along, and its brings alligators, guns, giant water pumps, and all kinds of craziness within the last third of the book. It almost becomes a different story as the survival tale switches from a battle again nature, to a battle against man.
The Drowned World can be a complex read at times, but you never lose sight of the plot. The description can be heavy, but the characters actions easy to understand. It’s a world I found interesting, and was sucked into with relative ease as I turned the page to see what next problem would arise.
I liked all the characters, with Riggs being my favourite. And while some of them felt a little underserved as the narrative moved forward––Looking at you Beatrice––I was always engrossed. The enigma that is Strangman’s surprise was an unexpected twist in the book, and I enjoyed the final few chapters. The ending felt fitting to me, while others may feel slightly unfulfilled.
I wouldn’t rate The Drowned World higher than High Rise, but then so few books are in my mind. But, it’s one I definitely enjoyed and would read again. I loved the sky blue minimalist cover on the version I brought too, very clever.
I’m certain fans of his work would like this one, and anyone who enjoys dystopian futures should give it a go too. I feel like you’d know whether you are going to like it or not by the end of the first chapter. I for me, really enjoyed it.
