Experience J.G. Ballard's High Rise with Tom Hiddleston's Voice in This Audio Book
High Rise by J.G. Ballard: A Dystopian Novel Narrated by Tom Hiddleston
If you are looking for a gripping, disturbing, and thought-provoking audio book to listen to, you might want to check out High Rise by J.G. Ballard. This novel, first published in 1975, is a dystopian masterpiece that depicts the collapse of society within a modern apartment building. Narrated by Tom Hiddleston, an acclaimed actor and voice artist who also starred in the film adaptation of the novel, this audio book will immerse you in a world of chaos, violence, and madness.
high rise audio book tom hiddleston free download
The Plot of High Rise
High Rise is set in a futuristic London, where a massive 40-story apartment block stands isolated from the rest of the city. The building is designed to provide its residents with everything they need, from supermarkets and swimming pools to schools and cinemas. It is divided into three sections, each corresponding to a different social class: the lower floors for the lower class, the middle floors for the middle class, and the upper floors for the upper class.
The novel follows the lives of three main characters, who represent each section of the building. They are:
Robert Laing, a young doctor who lives on the 25th floor. He is a rational and civilized man who tries to adapt to his new environment.
Richard Wilder, a documentary filmmaker who lives on the 2nd floor. He is a restless and ambitious man who wants to climb up the social ladder.
Anthony Royal, an architect who lives on the 40th floor. He is a wealthy and powerful man who designed the building and oversees its management.
As the novel progresses, we witness how the building gradually deteriorates into a state of anarchy and violence. The residents become isolated from the outside world and develop a tribal mentality. They start to fight each other over resources, territory, and status. They indulge in their primal urges and lose their sense of morality and humanity. They transform the building into a battleground, where survival is the only goal.
The Themes of High Rise
High Rise is not just a thrilling story, but also a profound commentary on various aspects of modern society. Some of the themes that Ballard explores in the novel are:
The critique of consumerism and classism. Ballard shows how the building, which is supposed to be a utopia of comfort and convenience, becomes a dystopia of oppression and exploitation. He exposes how the residents are manipulated by the building's design and technology, which create artificial needs and desires. He also reveals how the residents are divided by the building's structure, which reinforces social inequalities and hierarchies.
The exploration of human nature and primal instincts. Ballard challenges the notion that humans are inherently rational and civilized beings, who can overcome their animal impulses. He suggests that humans are still driven by their basic instincts, such as aggression, dominance, and sexuality. He implies that humans are capable of regressing to a savage state, when faced with extreme situations or stimuli.
The symbolism of the high rise and the elevator. Ballard uses the high rise as a metaphor for the modern society, which is characterized by alienation, isolation, and fragmentation. He also uses the elevator as a symbol for the social mobility, which is determined by the access to resources, power, and status. He shows how the high rise and the elevator affect the residents' psychology and behavior, as well as their relationships with each other.
The Style of High Rise
High Rise is written in a style that reflects its genre, tone, and language. Some of the features of Ballard's style are:
The genre: A blend of science fiction, horror, and satire. Ballard combines elements of science fiction, such as futuristic setting and technology, with elements of horror, such as violence and gore, to create a disturbing and realistic vision of the future. He also uses elements of satire, such as irony and exaggeration, to mock and criticize the society and its values.
The tone: Dark, ironic, and detached. Ballard adopts a tone that is bleak, cynical, and indifferent, to convey the mood and atmosphere of the novel. He does not express any sympathy or emotion for the characters or their actions. He does not judge or moralize about the events or their consequences. He simply presents them as they are, leaving the interpretation to the reader.
The language: Simple, direct, and vivid. Ballard uses a language that is clear, concise, and descriptive, to communicate his ideas and images. He does not use any complex or fancy words or sentences. He does not use any metaphors or similes. He uses concrete and specific details to create a vivid picture of the setting and the action.
Tom Hiddleston as the Narrator of High Rise
One of the reasons why High Rise audio book is worth listening to is because of its narrator: Tom Hiddleston. He is an English actor, producer, and voice artist who has appeared in various films, television shows, and stage plays. He is best known for his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
As the narrator of High Rise audio book, Tom Hiddleston does an excellent job in bringing the novel to life. Some of his strengths are:
His background: As an actor, he has a lot of experience and skill in performing different roles and characters. He also has a personal connection to the novel and its author, as he was a fan of Ballard's works since his childhood. He also played the role of Robert Laing in the film adaptation of High Rise in 2015.
His performance: As a voice artist, he has a lot of talent and versatility in using his voice to convey different emotions and tones. He also has a lot of range and variety in using different accents and dialects to distinguish different characters and sections. He also has a lot of pace and rhythm in using different pauses and intonations to emphasize different words and sentences.
His connection: As a narrator, he has a lot of understanding and appreciation for the novel and its message. He also has a lot of passion and enthusiasm for sharing his interpretation and perspective with the listeners. He also has a lot of respect and admiration for Ballard's style and vision.
How to Download High Rise Audio Book for Free
If you are interested in listening to High Rise audio book narrated by Tom Hiddleston, you might be wondering how you can download it for free. Here are some benefits of listening to audio books:
You can listen to them anytime and anywhere, such as while driving, walking, or working.
You can improve your listening skills, vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension.
You can enjoy the story more with the help of the narrator's voice and expression.
Here are some options for downloading High Rise audio book for free:
You can use a free trial of an online audio book service, such as Audible or Scribd. These services offer a large selection of audio books, including High Rise, that you can listen to for free for a limited period of time. You can also download the audio books to your device and keep them even after the trial ends. However, you will need to provide your credit card information and cancel your subscription before the trial ends to avoid being charged.
You can use a free online audio book downloader, such as SoundCloud Downloader or Audible Downloader. These tools allow you to download audio books from various sources, such as SoundCloud or Audible, without paying or registering. However, you will need to find the link of the audio book you want to download and paste it into the tool. You will also need to check the quality and legality of the audio book before downloading it.
You can use a free online audio book converter, such as Online Audio Converter or Zamzar. These tools allow you to convert any audio file into an audio book format, such as MP3 or M4B. However, you will need to have the audio file of the book you want to convert and upload it to the tool. You will also need to adjust the settings and parameters of the conversion according to your preferences.
Here are the steps for downloading High Rise audio book for free using one of these options:
Choose the option that suits you best and go to its website.
Find the link or the file of High Rise audio book narrated by Tom Hiddleston. You can search for it on Google or other platforms.
Copy and paste the link or upload the file to the tool you are using.
Select the format and quality of the output file and click on convert or download.
Wait for the process to finish and save the file to your device.
Enjoy listening to High Rise audio book for free!
Conclusion
In conclusion, High Rise by J.G. Ballard is a dystopian novel that depicts the breakdown of society within a modern apartment building. It explores various themes, such as consumerism, classism, human nature, and primal instincts. It is written in a style that combines science fiction, horror, and satire. It is narrated by Tom Hiddleston, an actor and voice artist who delivers a captivating performance. You can download High Rise audio book for free using one of the options mentioned above.
If you are looking for a thrilling, disturbing, and thought-provoking audio book to listen to, you should definitely give High Rise a try. You will not regret it!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about High Rise audio book:
Q: When was High Rise published and who is its author?A: High Rise was published in 1975 and its author is J.G. Ballard, a British writer who is known for his works of science fiction and dystopia.
Q: Who is Tom Hiddleston and why is he the narrator of High Rise?A: Tom Hiddleston is an English actor, producer, and voice artist who is best known for his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. He is also a fan of Ballard's works and played the role of Robert Laing in the film adaptation of High Rise in 2015.
Q: How long is High Rise audio book and how many chapters does it have?A: High Rise audio book is about 6 hours and 34 minutes long and it has 15 chapters.
Q: Where can I find more information about High Rise and its author?A: You can find more information about High Rise and its author on Wikipedia, Goodreads, IMDb, or Ballard's official website.
Q: Where can I find more audio books narrated by Tom Hiddleston?A: You can find more audio books narrated by Tom Hiddleston on Audible, SoundCloud, or YouTube.
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