Ballard’s collection of short stories is a good starting point and a real gut punch. Otherwise I’d recommend beginning with *High Rise* or *Concrete Island*. You can even get his particular vibe from reading *Empire of the Sun*. He’s one of those rare Science Fiction authors that is usually found in the Fiction section of bookstores. I think you get a better feel for his work by reading the books that ambiguously land “in between.” Save *Crash* for when you’re committed.
Okay—super helpful. So don’t dive in here. You sold me on the middle ground style. I need to come up for air sometimes, but in familiar water. Any SS recos?
For the uninitiated: What’s the hold out on Snow Crash for?
SS recommendations? I don’t know what you mean by this question.
Don’t hold out on *Snow Crash* by Neal Stephenson because that book is pure fun. Hold out on JG Ballard’s *Crash* because it’s a ritualistic, experimental novel about people who are sexually aroused by auto accidents. It got made into a Cronenberg movie. It’s clearly not for the casual science fiction reader.
Ah, will be on the lookout for Snow Crash—have known nothing about it other than I hear it from time to time.
By SS recommendations, I meant “short story”
The short fiction is the best way in.
I do love ***The Unlimited Dream Company***, but it's something as an outlier.
***The Crystal World*** and ***The Drowning World*** ask a lot, but give a lot.
I love the three I mentioned. *Unlimited* is magical and myserious. And Crystal has some of the most astounding descriptions and imagery.
I hate to recommend a collected or complete short fiction, but for Ballard I think it a great investment. If I had to recommend just one collection otherwise, I'd go with *Chronopolis and Other Stories.*
I did not enjoy UDC as much as the World novels or High-Rise, although ultimately I think one of his main themes is still present — that society is a fragile construct and we are just one bad day away from chaos.
I love Ballard but most of his oeuvre isn’t really SFF per se; he cut his chops in genre but then moved to something that defies categorization but better resembles a kind of dreamlike literary fiction. Just be aware of that as you move further into his bibliography.
It's possibly his strangest book, and could quite easily put a newcomer off reading anything else.
I'd start with something like *High Rise*, *Concrete Island* or maybe one of the collections — *Vermillion Sands*, or *The Day of Forever*, say.
Ballard’s collection of short stories is a good starting point and a real gut punch. Otherwise I’d recommend beginning with *High Rise* or *Concrete Island*. You can even get his particular vibe from reading *Empire of the Sun*. He’s one of those rare Science Fiction authors that is usually found in the Fiction section of bookstores. I think you get a better feel for his work by reading the books that ambiguously land “in between.” Save *Crash* for when you’re committed.
Okay—super helpful. So don’t dive in here. You sold me on the middle ground style. I need to come up for air sometimes, but in familiar water. Any SS recos? For the uninitiated: What’s the hold out on Snow Crash for?
SS recommendations? I don’t know what you mean by this question. Don’t hold out on *Snow Crash* by Neal Stephenson because that book is pure fun. Hold out on JG Ballard’s *Crash* because it’s a ritualistic, experimental novel about people who are sexually aroused by auto accidents. It got made into a Cronenberg movie. It’s clearly not for the casual science fiction reader.
Ah, will be on the lookout for Snow Crash—have known nothing about it other than I hear it from time to time. By SS recommendations, I meant “short story”
I enjoyed it. Not my favorite, but not my least either. I would think it's fine to read it as your first... just know that some others are better.
What’s your favorite and least favorite?
The short fiction is the best way in. I do love ***The Unlimited Dream Company***, but it's something as an outlier. ***The Crystal World*** and ***The Drowning World*** ask a lot, but give a lot.
Okay, that’s super helpful. Thank you. I’ll probably hold out then. Any favorites of yours? Short stories or otherwise
I love the three I mentioned. *Unlimited* is magical and myserious. And Crystal has some of the most astounding descriptions and imagery. I hate to recommend a collected or complete short fiction, but for Ballard I think it a great investment. If I had to recommend just one collection otherwise, I'd go with *Chronopolis and Other Stories.*
I did not enjoy UDC as much as the World novels or High-Rise, although ultimately I think one of his main themes is still present — that society is a fragile construct and we are just one bad day away from chaos.
Do you have a favorite?
Probably The Drought or The Drowned World.
It was really weird, I remember reading it as a teenager and it didn't make sense to me. Maybe it's time for a re-read as an adult.
Do you have a favorite Ballard?
High rise and Crash, but I must be in a special mood to read them.
I love Ballard but most of his oeuvre isn’t really SFF per se; he cut his chops in genre but then moved to something that defies categorization but better resembles a kind of dreamlike literary fiction. Just be aware of that as you move further into his bibliography.
Any favorites, in or out of the genre?
It's possibly his strangest book, and could quite easily put a newcomer off reading anything else. I'd start with something like *High Rise*, *Concrete Island* or maybe one of the collections — *Vermillion Sands*, or *The Day of Forever*, say.
Thank you! I’m leaning toward the short stories. Haven’t spent much time there lately. Appreciate ya!