Comments on: Authentic literature

By: Simon Sellars

Simon Sellars — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:51:02 +0000

That’s interesting, could you elaborate a bit on why? Because — although I’m wary of boring people by referring to Ballard every time in this thread — his last four books have in fact been subversive variations of crime fiction…

By: The futurist cozack

The futurist cozack — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:45:19 +0000

In fact, crime fiction has taken the mantle of science-fiction (in particular in Europe). The genre has taken a surprise turn, and a host of writers are using it as the true ‘literature of the present’

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:24:01 +0000

Indeed. If it’s possible to put JGB in a class I’d call him a post-modernist. Or perhaps a magic-realist. For me he achieved a perfect blend of fact and fiction in ‘The Kindness of Women’.

By: Simon Sellars

Simon Sellars — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:16:24 +0000

Yes, Chuck — including Ballard these days!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:32:20 +0000

Ballard realized the limitations of sci-fi. But there are still plenty of writers dealing with ‘profound philosophical questions’ who don’t fit into the sci-fi genre. Le Carre for instance, William Boyd, David Mitchell, Alisdair Gray, Ian McEwan, Lionel Shriver, Martin Amis and many more.

By: Simon Sellars

Simon Sellars — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:17:09 +0000

I agree, Kuja — but I also think that Sterling quote reinforces my point.

By: Kuja

Kuja — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:01:49 +0000

You have a point, but I also have to agree with Bruce Sterling: the best futurist is the one who predicts the present.