On that brief note, today I will continue with my look at my favorite authors. Once again, this list is based on the rationale I outlined in my first post on this new topic. See the link if you care for my reasoning. Scroll down a bit.
My Favorite Authors - J.G. Ballard
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| James Graham Ballard |
Like my previous author, Margaret Atwood, my first exposure to Ballard was in my university days (74 - 78). In my 3rd year I took An Introduction to the Science Fiction novel. Yes, it was a bit of a bird course but I loved Sci-Fi and this course exposed me to so many Sci-Fi authors. I lived it. One of the authors was Ballard. We read The Drowned World, published in 1962, one of his earliest works. After that I read The Wind from Nowhere, his first published novel. I think I lost track of him for many years.
When I moved to Comox and started exploring Sci-Fi again, at least quite a bit more than usual, I began to look through his novels. I read The Drowned World again and began to explore more of his works. Since 2000ish, I've read 10 of his novels.
How to describe Ballard's work? Well, let's see.. He's one weird dude. A few of his novels have been turned into movies, Empire of the Sun, High-Rise, Crash. So anyway, let's take a look at J.G. Ballard, shall we?
"In the 21st century, fluctuations in solar radiation have caused the ice-caps to melt and the seas to rise. Global temperatures have climbed, and civilization has retreated to the Arctic and Antarctic circles. London is a city now inundated by a primeval swamp, to which an expedition travels to record the flora and fauna of this new Triassic Age." (3 stars) Sound familiar? Kind of prescient, eh?
"A gunman opens fire in a shopping mall. Not a terrorist, apparently, but a madman with a rifle. Or not, as he is mysteriously (and quickly) set free without charge...
One of the victims is the father of Richard Pearson, unemployed advertising executive and life-long rebel. Now he is driving out to Brooklands, the apparently peaceful town on the M25 which has at its heart the shining shoppers’ paradise where the shooting happened – the Metro-Centre.
Then the main suspect is released - thanks to the testimony of self-styled pillars of the community like the doctor who treated Richard's father on his deathbed. Richard, determined to unravel the mystery, starts to believe that something deeply sinister lurks behind the pristine facades of the labyrinthine mall, its 24-hour cable TV and sports club." (3 stars)
"On the arid, war-plagued terrain of central Africa, a manic doctor is consumed with visions of transforming the Sahara into a land of abundance. But Dr. Mallory’s obsession quickly spirals dangerously out of control." (3 stars)
"J.G. Ballard is one of the most unique, strange writers I've ever read. The first story of his that I read was The Drowned World, which pictures a world that is sinking under water. He wrote that in 1962 and it was one of his earliest books. I next read, The Wind from Nowhere, which pictures mankind forced to live underground to avoid the ever increasing winds that scour the Earth's surface. Even those stories portray his unique writing style, his moodiness, his ability to describe the settings he is trying to picture.
Since then I've read High-rise, Crash, Hello America, etc. Some of them are somewhat inaccessible; you are an observer in these strange worlds or situations that he is describing. But, even with them, you have to find out what will happen to the people he places in such disturbing surroundings.
Vermillion Sands was written in 1971 and is a collection of Ballard's short stories. They all portray the decaying lives of artists and rich people living in the area of Vermillion Sands. It's another strange futuristic world; a desert sea, sand rays, musical sand towers, etc. Fascinating and Ballard sort of enfolds you in the life and setting. Artists make clothing from bio materials that have a life of their own. Poets no longer write their own poetry, but use machines to draw themes and words to create poetry and then set out the parameters for people to read them. Artists soar to the skies to create art from the cumulus clouds that float above them. Rich people sail the sand seas in sail ships.
It's a fascinating scene and the stories that surround these moody settings are also interesting, somewhat emotionless, but still keeps you reading to see how they resolve. Another interesting work from Ballard. (4 stars)"
"When a class war erupts inside a luxurious apartment block, modern elevators become violent battlegrounds and cocktail parties degenerate into marauding attacks on "enemy" floors. In this visionary tale, human society slips into violent reverse as once-peaceful residents, driven by primal urges, re-create a world ruled by the laws of the jungle." (4 stars)
"I enjoyed this story very much. I do find that Ballard can be somewhat inaccessible; I'm thinking of The Crystal World and The Day of Creation, which I didn't enjoy all that much, or extremely imaginative and fascinating; The Drowned World, Kingdom Come and High-Rise, which I enjoyed very much.
Hello America falls into the latter category. It was very interesting; an expedition from Europe to America, destroyed many years ago and evacuated. The expedition ends up in Las Vegas, ruled by a madman, who at the same time has created an amazing place. Definitely worth reading. (3 stars)"
"I've read a few books by J.G. Ballard over the years. He writes some of the more unique science fiction that I've ever read. I like some more than others. I have enjoyed The Drowned World, Passport to Eternity, High-Rise, Crash, etc. I also enjoyed my most recent selection, Concrete Island.
At the beginning of the story, architect David Maitland, crashes his Jaguar, while driving home on the expressway outside of London. His crash brings him to an artificial island in the midst of the various interconnecting roads. In the crash he damages his hip and this affects his mobility. This begins a modern type Robinson Crusoe type of story. Days pass into days ad Maitland tries to find a way out. The area is fenced in, and surrounded by muddy hills. Cars passing by can't really see him due to the tall grass that has overgrown the area.
So that's the gist of the story. We follow Maitland as he explores the area, suffers from fever and pain, suffers from mental problems and other things. It's an interesting story, a quick read. There isn't lots of action, it's more an exploration of Maitland's frame of mind as he tries to cope with his isolation and decide what he will do to escape... if he really wants to escape. It's always worthwhile to try one of Ballard's stories to see what you think of his story-telling and writing style. (3.5 stars)"
"The story got off to a slowish start as, with most JG Ballard stories, you do need to focus on his writing style. As I got into it, I got much more involved with the plot, basically a Doctor, in Africa, travels up-river to find his friends. He discovers that the forest and area where he wishes to go is being transformed, the vegetation, even the people, into crystal. It's an interesting journey, as he becomes involved with other peoples' stories and tries to stay alive. It's worth reading if you're familiar with Ballard's other Sci-Fi works. I also recommend The Drowned World and The Wind from Nowhere, if you've not read any of his work before. (3 stars)"
"A variety of Sci-Fi short stories, highlights JG Ballard's unique imagination. It features 9 stories, all unique, some of my favorites being The 99th Floor and The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista.. Very enjoyable. (4 stars)"
"A very strange, but at the same time, compelling/ engrossing story. The basic premise being a group of people who have been involved in car accidents who now equate car accidents with sex. It does sound strange doesn't it.
The story focuses on the author, who is in effect, JG Ballard, his wife and a man he meets after his car accident, that being Vaughn. There are also other characters but these three are the main focus. The story starts at the end then with flashback works it's way from the beginning; Ballard's car accident, through a variety of incidents until the start of the story (in effect, the end).
There is a lot of sex in this story, (it's been described in some reviews as pornographic) and interesting discussion/ comparison with the human body and that of an automobile. The people involved have issues, sex is often only satisfying in automobiles, even in broken automobiles.
It's a hard story to describe, but it's so 'out there' that it can draw you in very deeply. David Cronenberg made a movie in 1996 based on this book, starring Holly Hunter, James Spader and Elias Koteas, amongst others and as I recall it, he very successfully captured the mood and strangeness of the story. It can be a graphic story to read, but I found it also very interesting. Did I like it? Like isn't the right word, but I found it hard to put down. (4 stars)"
So what do you think? The complete listing of Ballard's books can be found at this link.
Enjoy your Friday and the upcoming weekend. Take care.
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