[chocky]

I've been interested in reading Ballard for a long time now. Could some one suggest a starting point? I know of, but have not read, Crash, High Rise, Drowned World. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.

[fortytwo]

I've only read The Drowned World, which I found to be a very uncomfortable story.
I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying the title refers to a future Earth,and it could easily happen!

[Llama]

You should start with CRASH, which is pretty much indispensable.

Then HIGH-RISE or THE UNLIMITED DREAM COMPANY.

His short stories are also excellent. There's at least one best of collection.

His series of apocalyptic novels, like DROWNED WORLD and CRYSTAL WORLD, are interesting but I think less effective overall than some of his other books.


And EMPIRE OF THE SUN is also fabulous, but it's an autobiographical novel and not sf.

[chocky]

Thank you Llama. I'll go with your suggestion since it was what I wanted to do anyway.:p

[Rob B]

The only Ballard I've read is Hello America, a very interesting take on a deserted USA. Nomad clans such as brokers and other groups.

It's been a few years so I don't remember much.

[ferkel]

Oh man, if I read another Ballard story about deranged middle-class people wandering around a deserted Florida thinking they are birds I'm going to choke!

The man is obsessed!

Sorry about the rant, he used to be my favourite author, I loved his originality. But the same themes do occur from time to time.

These two collections of his are very good IMO:

The Terminal Beach
War Fever

I've yet to read a full book of his that I liked. We won't even mention Cocaine Nights...

Much love,

Ferkel

[Walker]

totally, totally start with the short stories. you can find The Collected Short Stories of J.G. Ballard at basically any retail bookstore. Concentration City is awesome.

[athenix]

Empire of the Sun ... it's not sci-fi, but it's fantastic. Or watch the Spielberg movie.

I never got through Crash , but I think that's because I moved in the middle of reading it and it got sent back to my parents. Authors that I've heard him compared to (once again, lit, not sci-fi) are Bret Easton Ellis and Jay McInerney, both of whom I adore.

[chocky]

Went to Chapters (bookstore) they only had Empire of the Sun so I guess I'll start there, while I order the rest from Amazon.
Thank you everbody for your thoughts.

[Gagged Man]

I recommend High Rise because it has some real shock value but is also a little bit of a morality tale (I thought). Read it listening to Phil Collin's "Another Day In Paradise" (or the Brandy cover) because they just seem to gel.
William Burroughs is pretty good as well, if you think of yourself as a mind deranged by junk that is.