The Atrocity Exhibition - Softcover

J G Ballard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007116861 ISBN 13: 9780007116867

Publisher: Flamingo, 2001

Synopsis

A prophetic and experimental masterpiece by J. G. Ballard, the acclaimed author ofCrashandSuper-Cannes. This edition includes explanatory notes from the author.

The irrational, all-pervading violence of the modern world is the subject of this extraordinary tour de force.

The central character's dreams are haunted by images of John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, dead astronauts and car-crash victims as he traverses the screaming wastes of nervous breakdown. Seeking his sanity, he casts himself in a number of roles: H-bomber pilot, presidential assassin, crash victim, psychopath. Finally, through the black, perverse magic of violence he transcends his psychic turmoil to find the key to a bizarre new sexuality.

In this revised edition, Ballard has added extensive annotation that help to unlock many of the mysteries of one of the most prophetic, enigmatic and original works of the late twentieth century.

This edition is part of a new commemorative series of Ballard's works, featuring introductions from a number of his admirers (including Neil Gaiman, Iain Sinclair, James Lever and Ali Smith) and brand-new cover designs.

About this title

Review:

Easily one of the 20th century's most visionary writers, J. G. Ballard still lives far ahead of his time. Called his "prophetic masterpiece" by many, The Atrocity Exhibition practically lies outside of any literary tradition. Part science fiction, part eerie historical fiction, part pornography, its characters adhere to no rules of linearity or stability. This reissued edition features an introduction by William S. Burroughs, extensive text commentary by Ballard, and four additional stories. Of specific interest are the illustrations by underground cartoonist and professional medical illustrator Phoebe Gloeckner. Her ultrarealistic images of eroticism and destruction add an important dimension to Ballard's text.

From the Back Cover:

When the Atrocity Exhibition was originally printed (1970), Nelson Doubleday saw a copy and was so horrified he ordered the entire press run shredded. Two years later Grove Press brought out a small hardback printing re-titled "Love and Napalm: Export USA." Now Re/Search brings out an illustrated, large-format edition of this notorious work, augmented with four recently written stories, plus extensive annotations--written by the author, never before published--which clarify and illuminate this exhilarating, prophetic masterpiece.

About this edition

• Publisher: Flamingo
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0007116861
• ISBN 13: 9780007116867
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192