J.G. Ballard
1962
Around 160 pages
We have seven Ballard novels on this List, so let's get cracking. Writers are really feeling apocalyptic lately. I guess the paranoia will only increase as we move through the sixties.
It's the mid 22nd century, and the planet is almost completely uninhabitable due to solar radiation. Humans have fled to the poles to survive the extreme temperatures. In 2145, Dr. Robert Kerans is part of a scientific expedition to a lagoon that was once London. And while I was hoping the group would be attacked by dinosaurs, I had to settle for weird dreams and pirates.
With a premise like this, I expected the story to be slightly more exciting but Ballard is still finding his footing, as this is only his second novel. Ballard sets up an all too believable world, and seems to be one of the first dystopian novels to tackle climate-related apocalypses.
A solid first entry for our guest star, who will soon return as a series regular.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
In 2010, Time Magazine named The Drowned World one of the top 10 best post-apocalyptic books.
UP NEXT: Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov
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