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RUNNING WILD
  
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RUNNING WILD [Unbound]

J.G. Ballard (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Unbound, Mar 15 1990 --   -- --

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Thirty miles outside of London lies a suburban utopia called Pangbourne Village, an exclusive residential development in which all the houses are new, the security system is impeccable, parents are happy and children are provided with a nonstop roster of structured activity. But fans of Ballard's High Rise , in which he turned an apartment tower into a warring miniature city, will recognize his dim view of fabricated societies. Indeed, in his eerie new novella's first moments, Pangbourne's 32 adults are found murdered, and the complex's 13 children, all but one of them teenagers, have vanished. Written as a police psychiatrist's forensic diary, the story unfolds as an investigation that quickly points to the children themselves as culprits. Though the author sketches a sharp portrait of complacent privilege in Thatcher's England and tells a provocative story with a jolting final twist, the explanation of a carefully coordinated plot among the youths--"in a totally sane society, madness is the only freedom"--is unduly glib. At just over 100 pages, that's really all there is to it; this is, in every sense, a minor work by a major writer.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'A tight, macabre tale!A well-constructed and superbly written novella. As a malevolent gesture in the direction of facts we prefer to ignore, it provides a salutary chill.' Jonathan Coe, Guardian 'In words as crisp as a well-cut film, Ballard's gripping story shocks middle-class assumptions to the roots.' Mail on Sunday 'Has the impact of a black-and-white television documentary. The writing is elegant, taut and economical, the story gripping.' Sunday Times 'A particularly chilling fable!Ballard in a nutshell.' Nicholas Lezard, Guardian 'Simultaneously a detective novel, a psychological horror novel and a dystopian political novel. "Running Wild" may well be remembered as one of the major political novels of our time.' New York Review of Science Fiction --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars the effects of consevative white upper class values, Jan 21 2002
In 1988 this book on the ficticious pangbourne massacre was published. Since that time the columbine massacre and quite a few other massacres involving teens has occured and will undoubtedly continue. All or most of these massacres happened in times of economic prosperity in the US and were committed by white male teens from middle and upper middle class families. The book makes it very clear that the pangbourne massacre occured because the children felt compelled to break free of those things which the white upper class highly values (i.e. close-knit family, loving atmosphere, academic success, material possesions, living in a nice neighborhood, etc.). This seems ironic and troubling but if one puts some thought into it, it makes a lot of sense. Also, it is not just these values that cause (are causing) problems, it is rapid technological 'development' as well. I could discuss this issue further, but this is supposed to be a review not a soapbox. I would advise those interested in this book to also read the unabomber's manifesto.

I in no way advocate violence and terrorism, but I think I have a much better understanding of the root causes of the type of violence seen in recent years in schools throughout america after reading this book.

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3.0 out of 5 stars slim book, slender idea, Oct 9 2001
This was an interesting enough idea: rebellion from an obscenely contrived utopia. An editorial review described the story as being "glib." I agree. This story is very straightforward. No frills, no twists or turns. This book is mildly challenging or thought-provoking.

I give this 3 stars because of my anxiety over slamming such a skinny book. Had this been a 200-paged book... I would have given it one star. But I can't expect too much from a book that's just 104 pages and doesn't waste too much of my time with a mildly interesting idea.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Running Wild Review, Aug 14 2001
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Although this book is short, it still has a great story that's haunting and very disturbing. Just from what's on the back you get an idea about what happens, yet as Ballard explains it, it doesn't matter WHAT happened it matters WHY it happened. This book also acts as a chilling prophecy of how western society will become. I read this after I read "Crash", by Ballard, but both books are very different and it's hard to believe that they're both by the same author. It won't take long to read, but it'll be something you'll remember.
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