The Unlimited Dream Company (1979)
Author: Simon Sellars • Sep 16th, 2006 •Category: Shepperton, bibliography, flying, sexual politics
OPENING LINE:
“In the first place, why did I steal the aircraft?”
The Unlimited Dream Company is “one of the titles featured in Anthony Burgess’ Ninety-Nine Novels: The Best in English since 1939″.
It’s also one of Ballard’s most surprising and underrated works, and deeply personal, too, given that it takes place in his home town of Shepperton. Substitute the narrator, Blake, for Ballard, then consider Malcolm Bradbury’s insightful review:
For the citizens of Shepperton, Blake performs strange wonders, spinning abundance and exuding sexual energy, drawing them away from their work and into a new world of polymorphous perversity.
From the Triad/Panther edition, 1985:
From the moment Blake crashes his stolen aircraft into the Thames, the unlimited dream company takes over and the town of Shepperton is transformed into an apocalyptic kingdom of desire and stunning imagination ruled over by Blake’s messianic figure. Tropical flora and fauna appear; pan-sexual celebrations occur regularly; and in a final climax of liberation, the townspeople learn to fly.
..:: J.G. BALLARD
• Bibliography
• Filmography (coming soon)
• Artography (coming soon)
..:: BUY THE BOOK
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