http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:16:39 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/04/26/154230.php#comment-714033 You know, I think that professional critics often give established writers more of a pass on average or bad work, especially if that writer already has an "establishment" reputation for writing good literature. It's kind of like when a new writer's first novel is far better than an established writer's last book, yet the established writer will get a better review. Maybe that's what has happened here. I'd like to read the novel anyway and see for myself. 714033@blogcritics.org Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:16:39 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/04/26/154230.php#comment-713724 Hi Kevin Just a quick note to confirm that this review is about this book only, not the author. I have read other works by J G Ballard and agree that he is an acquired taste, but one that is worth acquiring. Kingdom Come is a good idea, but one that doesn't work. 713724@blogcritics.org Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:50:21 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/04/26/154230.php#comment-713663 You've written a very thorough review here, and I totally see your point...but it seems to go against a lot of what I've read about this book. Granted, I haven't yet read "Kingdom Come," but I'm familiar with Ballard's previous work. The way you describe this novel seems to suggest that this is a true "ballardian" book, with elements of dystopia, contrasting and elusive morals, and ambivalent characters. So, are you critiquing Ballard as a writer (obviously he's an acquired taste) or are you critiquing this novel because it doesn't hold up to his previous works? Or, are all of the good reviews I've read about this book a symptom of book critics who become enamored with certain writers and start to think he/she can do no harm? Because that happens as well. Anyway, just some thoughts. 713663@blogcritics.org Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:58:26 EDT