The Drowned World
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard is a 1962 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel that follows Dr. Robert Kerans, a biologist leading a scientific survey team in a future London submerged due to climate change. As they study the area's unique flora and fauna, the team experiences increasingly disturbing dreams. Strangman, a pirate, arrives, causing chaos and leading to a series of conflicts and existential struggles for Kerans and his colleagues. The novel includes depictions of torture.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
J. G. Ballard's The Drowned World offers a mesmerizing journey into a sunken, post-apocalyptic Earth, showcasing his signature blend of evocative prose and speculative ingenuity. While some readers praise the novel's atmospheric and psychologically rich narrative, others find its pacing slow and characters underdeveloped. Overall, it's a haunting, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Drowned World?
Fans of post-apocalyptic literature and dystopian fiction, particularly those who enjoy the bleak, surreal landscapes of J.G. Ballard, will find The Drowned World captivating. Readers of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale will appreciate its exploration of human psychology in extreme environments.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
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