Comments on: Miracles of Life extract & interview

By: Rus Brockman

Rus Brockman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:22:09 +0000

Argh, i have only just heard this – truly terrible news….

By: MsNeet

MsNeet — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:34:33 +0000

This is a very moving remembrance, so I’ll definitely be reading it. That it may be his last book is very quieting. The energy and focus it must have taken, in regard to whatever pain the cancer caused in his daily routine, makes me feel chastened.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:00:42 +0000

Yes, unfortunately it would appear that Jim Ballard may not be around much longer (not trying to be pessimistic, but if wikipedia is any guide his cancer is quite advanced).

In a sense I came to his books rather late (only starting reading his stuff from 2003, starting with Millennium People and gradually working my way back), but in my opinion he is one of the few literary giants around, always pushing the boundaries and turning the familiar upside down, and writing with a style few can match.

If my memory serves me correctly, Ballard once said his greatest fear was that “nothing new or exciting would ever happen”, and that the future world would be boring. In any event, the world will be more boring without his literary presence.

By: Passages: J.G. Ballard « STEVENHARTSITE

Passages: J.G. Ballard « STEVENHARTSITE — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:26:40 +0000

[...] Ballardian [...]

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:27:56 +0000

I’ve been looking forward to Miracles Of Life for weeks and now that I’ve just read the news of his advanced cancer on your site I’m not looking forward to reading it so much, for obvious reasons. I think in The Kindness Of Women his young daughter told him he was going to live to over a hundred – lets hope her prophesy comes true.

By: Ambroce Bierce

Ambroce Bierce — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:22:13 +0000

………………Mr. Ballard I am reading Henry James unfinished masterpiece THE IVORY TOWER. My idea is Why don´t you finish the last book of the serie? YOU ARE NOT HENRY JAMES BUT YOU HAVE TALENT AND YOU ARE BRITISH (this is an extra)

By: pHinn

pHinn — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:04:16 +0000

Very sad news, indeed, especially when my own father recently died of cancer. Here’s hoping all the best for Mr. Ballard.

By: Cliff Burns

Cliff Burns — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:29:09 +0000

I, too, find this news re: Mr. Ballard’s health difficult to accommodate. He’s one of the seminal figures of the “New Wave” movement, which breathed life into a moribund SF genre back in the 1960′s. He’s always been an author who doesn’t take his readers for granted and never insults their intelligence with hackwork. His ground-breaking prose, imagery and themes have been a big influence and inspiration for my own work. I hope for the best for this remarkable author…and man.

By: johnny strike

johnny strike — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:05:58 +0000

now i see that this the perfect title for his autobiography. words can’t convey the sadness i feel for this great writer.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:32:08 +0000

Simon, thank you so much for this! I will write to him today.

By: A Directory Of Wonderful Things » Blog Archive » JG Ballard’s autobiography excerpt and sad news of cancer

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:49:18 +0000

[...] to Miracles Of Life excerpt, Link to buy JG Ballard books, Link to pre-order Miracles Of Life (via Ballardian, thanks Mark [...]

By: Simon Sellars

Simon Sellars — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:33:40 +0000

Hi Emily, I suggest you try JGB’s agent:

Casarotto Ramsay & Associates Ltd
National House
60-66 Wardour Street
London W1V 4ND
England
Tel: +44 (0)20 7287 4450
Fax: +44 (0)20 7287 9128
E-mail: agents@casarotto.uk.com
http://www.casarotto.uk.com

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:10:58 +0000

I’m upset by this grave news. Can I ask, what is the best way to send him a fan letter?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:33:45 +0000

It probably took 20 years for him to filter the experiences into something cohesive. Or perhaps he needed to get a lot of other ideas off his chest first. Sad to hear about the diagnosis.

By: ashbrg

ashbrg — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:43:31 +0000

the saddest ones.

By: Anthony Osborne

Anthony Osborne — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:33:53 +0000

Sad news, very sad news.

By: Peter Cooper

Peter Cooper — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:26:30 +0000

I feel rather bummed out by the idea that J G Ballard might not be around for decades to come, although you never know.. I’ve put my pre-order in for the book; it looks like it’s going to be a great read!