938. Super-Cannes

Super-Cannes
J.G. Ballard
2000
Around 400 pages

I was actually really into this novel at the beginning, but then it took a turn for the Ballard, which meant extremely disturbing sexual content, this time involving children. Man, why we couldn't stick to a good old fashioned ghost story, where it's just an angry spirit that makes a man go on a killing spree?

Paul injured himself in a flying accident, so there's nothing stopping him from moving with his wife Jane to Eden Olympia, a luxury gated community in the hills above Cannes. Jane is a doctor, and is replacing the previous doctor, David Greenwood, who killed several friends and coworkers before turning the gun on himself. Paul become obsesses with discovering what made David do what he did. 

Sounds like a great premise for a horror story or at the very least, a compelling mystery. But Ballard takes it in a very upsetting direction. I'm not saying his take on what the rich will do if left to their own devices was inaccurate, I was just hoping for less deranged story. And I don't think Ballard writes women well. They never feel like real human beings, only sexual fantasies.

Here's my official Ballard ranking, what a strange man:

1. High Rise

2. The Atrocity Exhibition

3. Super-Cannes

4. The Empire of the Sun

5. The Drowned World

6. Crash

7. Cocaine Nights

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

A limited series adaptation was reported to be in development in 2021.

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