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#1 |
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Writers like W.S. Burroughs and P.K. Dick get plenty of mentions here but not so J.G. Ballard. Definitely my fave writer from that 60-70s sci-fi era and still writing today. High Rise and Concrete Island could've been written yesterday.
There's a definite English quality about his stuff from that period, and I wonder if that might be a reason why he has such a low profile on here. Anyway, would be nice to know the thoughts of others who've read him. |
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#2 |
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the only one i've read is crash, and i thought it was really good, though it left me feeling reeeeeeally cold in parts (which i know was the point) (and of course the movie, typical of cronenberg, made me feel colder). atrocity exhibition looks cool, as does some of his other books, i just haven't gotten around to reading them yet...
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#3 |
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Crash and Atrocity Exhibition are difficult ones to start with. High Rise is far more accessible and less dated than either of them.
The coldness is a factor in his work but even given that it can still get in the way sometimes - Atrocity Exhibition is especially guilty of it. |
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#4 |
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I got him to sign my copy of High Rise back in the 80's...his latest Kingdom Come is really good...I wonder if they will ever release it in the US.
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#5 |
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wow, one of the few 'celebs' i'd actually like to meet. whenever i see him interviewed he seems like a guy who'd work in your local post-office. a genuine enigma that one.
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#6 |
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ive been trying to read the atrocity exhibition for years & years. i own the book--not legitimately, as it was involuntarily stolen, but i do. in any case, intriguing pictures, but it puts me to sleep every time.
however his movie adaptations i've enjoyed immensely -empire of the sun -- probably spielberg's best movie -crash -- cronenberg fucking rules |
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#7 |
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I'm not a huge fan of AE. It's weird how so many people start with it. Must be the Joy Division connection.
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#8 |
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AE would be like the last one I'd recommend someone to start with.
Ballard was a master of the short story up to the early 70's as well. |
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#9 |
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I really should read more of Ballard's recent work - the "Atrocity Exhibition" is good in an 'Industrial Culture' way, whereas 'Crash' touches upon similar themes in a far more engaging fashion. The opening pages of "High Rise" are still a firm favourite with me as well.
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Snow on Easter Sunday - Jesus Christ in reverse. |
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#10 |
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His more generic sci-fi stuff is excellent too: Drowned World, The Drought, Crystal World, etc
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#11 |
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I was going to mention the www.ballardian.com site and I see they have a link to a site to promote the UK paperback release of Kingdom Come - still don't see a US release. Fools.
http://metrocentre.wordpress.com/ |
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#12 |
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That's a great site. Haven't read KC yet, but really looking forward to it. I loved his novel before that, Millennium People.
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#13 |
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Some of you might enjoy these:
Discussion of his 60s Sci-Fi (not complete but still excellent) http://youtube.com/watch?v=A6enYVgkNcA The whole Thirteen to Centaurus episode!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=gcg_b6M00I0 BBC Documentary about his life (emphasis on his time in Shanghai): http://youtube.com/watch?v=7KaEhec9ZaQ Interesting guy talking about Ballard: http://youtube.com/watch?v=x28-tir984I BBC dramatization of Ballard's The Enormous Space: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lk0H3AnjyOA |
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