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takumo_n's review against another edition
4.0
In a world of biological warfare american scientists start experimenting with rabbits under radiation. This creates a new type of syphilis, called pallidine, that makes them insanely intelligent, but die in around nine months. They start giving it to humans in a concentration camp with no windows, good food, books to read, and materials so the hyper intelligent humans could come up with a way to live longer, or even cure it. A bunch of literary references, twists and turns, allegories makes it a really interesting read.
trewqh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
doritobabe's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. I could not have asked for a more pretentious read. So much, in fact, that I think the author/protagonist's ruminations deviated so far from the actual plot where secondary characters (H Haast) even told the writer to calm the f down.
[b:Camp Concentration|553907|Camp Concentration|Thomas M. Disch|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348351434s/553907.jpg|924275] is a sci-fi dystopian novel that takes place in the 1970s during (what I perceived as) WWIII. Not only has America declared war on the rest of the world, but in order to test and combat chemical warfare, they have decided to test Palladine on war criminals. This disease/drug/whatever is related to syphilis but seems to increase man's intelligence exponentially while deteriorating their body and sanity. The main character and his fellow inmates tend to ramble on and allude to philosophical literary discussions about LIFE and HISTORY and BLAH.
To be honest I just ended up skimming majority of this book (after I reached half way and it became less coherent). Not to mention it is quite inflammatory (i.e. not PC, probably considering the time; no excuses).
I can recommend this to some people, the likes of which have finished such reads as [b:Naked Lunch|7437|Naked Lunch|William S. Burroughs|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1407330990s/7437.jpg|4055] ... but otherwise this is not an accessible read.
[b:Camp Concentration|553907|Camp Concentration|Thomas M. Disch|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348351434s/553907.jpg|924275] is a sci-fi dystopian novel that takes place in the 1970s during (what I perceived as) WWIII. Not only has America declared war on the rest of the world, but in order to test and combat chemical warfare, they have decided to test Palladine on war criminals. This disease/drug/whatever is related to syphilis but seems to increase man's intelligence exponentially while deteriorating their body and sanity. The main character and his fellow inmates tend to ramble on and allude to philosophical literary discussions about LIFE and HISTORY and BLAH.
To be honest I just ended up skimming majority of this book (after I reached half way and it became less coherent). Not to mention it is quite inflammatory (i.e. not PC, probably considering the time; no excuses).
I can recommend this to some people, the likes of which have finished such reads as [b:Naked Lunch|7437|Naked Lunch|William S. Burroughs|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1407330990s/7437.jpg|4055] ... but otherwise this is not an accessible read.
connell98's review against another edition
3.0
I wish Goodreads would allow half stars. I would actually rank this 3.5/5 stars.
First of all, the fact that this story was written by the same person who wrote “The Brave Little Toaster” blew my mind. I remember watching the Disney movie version of that novella (I believe) and was not surprised that Disch tends to make his have existential crises in 2/2 works I have viewed so far, haha.
“Camp Concentration” is an interesting insight into what a person would give up for a greater sense of intelligence. Additionally, it plays with ideas of death, purpose, and martyrdom. What would one do if offered infinite intelligence, even at the cost of shorter life?
One thing that I find necessary in a piece like this, however, still very annoying, are the intellectual ravings that the narrator gets into about midway through the book. They are meant to be confusing because they are intellectual ravings created under extreme stress. However, I always feel like I lose out on something more……purposeful? As a reader, of course. The whole point is that the audience will struggle to comprehend but pick up on certain elements in these ravings, but it still makes me feel like I am losing out on something when that happens.
Not a bad read; if not for a graduate class, I probably would have taken more time to read it and consider its own intellectual ravings on a deeper level than it already postulates, haha.
First of all, the fact that this story was written by the same person who wrote “The Brave Little Toaster” blew my mind. I remember watching the Disney movie version of that novella (I believe) and was not surprised that Disch tends to make his have existential crises in 2/2 works I have viewed so far, haha.
“Camp Concentration” is an interesting insight into what a person would give up for a greater sense of intelligence. Additionally, it plays with ideas of death, purpose, and martyrdom. What would one do if offered infinite intelligence, even at the cost of shorter life?
One thing that I find necessary in a piece like this, however, still very annoying, are the intellectual ravings that the narrator gets into about midway through the book. They are meant to be confusing because they are intellectual ravings created under extreme stress. However, I always feel like I lose out on something more……purposeful? As a reader, of course. The whole point is that the audience will struggle to comprehend but pick up on certain elements in these ravings, but it still makes me feel like I am losing out on something when that happens.
Not a bad read; if not for a graduate class, I probably would have taken more time to read it and consider its own intellectual ravings on a deeper level than it already postulates, haha.
hanklyhank's review against another edition
3.0
Even thought it was published in the late 60s, this one felt very old school to me. The journal format, the paranoia specifically of a wartime government, even the "voice" all felt very 1984 or Kallocaine to me. Which worked in its favor. I could excuse some stilted description as a stylistic choice, I feel like, rather than sketchy writing.
But I guess "sketchy" really is the word I want to use here. The characters felt like a sketch (especially the one woman). The science - and I use that term loosely - wasn't given any details. The end seemed a little tacked on, barely fleshed.
That being said, not a bad read. It wasn't meant to be realistic, more of an thought exercise. How much are we willing to give up for intellect? How important is it? Health, taste, skill, life? Do they even attain intellect, or just speed? No answers given, but isn't that true of most dystopian literature?
But I guess "sketchy" really is the word I want to use here. The characters felt like a sketch (especially the one woman). The science - and I use that term loosely - wasn't given any details. The end seemed a little tacked on, barely fleshed.
That being said, not a bad read. It wasn't meant to be realistic, more of an thought exercise. How much are we willing to give up for intellect? How important is it? Health, taste, skill, life? Do they even attain intellect, or just speed? No answers given, but isn't that true of most dystopian literature?
eliaseuler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vastlecania's review against another edition
4.0
challenging read, had to look up a lot of the references, although im not sure that's truly necessary to enjoy it. an interesting story about the nature of genius, and also how awful people can be. surprisingly tight plot on top of that, and the ending is both a great twist and completely earned.
bleak but hopeful
bleak but hopeful
stewreads's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
orange_eating_class's review against another edition
5.0
“Much that is terrible we do not know. Much that is beautiful we shall still discover. Let's sail till we come to the edge.”