The Atrocity Exhibition

First published in 1970 and widely regarded as a prophetic masterpiece, this is a groundbreaking experimental novel by the acclaimed author of 'Crash' and 'Super-Cannes', who has supplied explanatory notes for this new edition. The irrational, all-pervading violence of the modern world is the subject of this extraordinary tour de force. The central character's dreams are haunted by images of John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, dead astronauts and car-crash victims as he traverses the screaming wastes of nervous breakdown. Seeking his sanity, he casts himself in a number of roles: H-bomber pilot, presidential assassin, crash victim, pscyhopath. Finally, through the black, perverse magic of violence he transcends his psychic turmoils to find the key to a bizarre new sexuality.

ISBN 0007116861   DEWEY edition DC22 ISBN13 9780007116867 (What's this?)   Pages 192 Publisher HarperCollins Publishers   Part volume Annotated Imprint HarperPerennial   Weight (grammes) 161 Format Paperback   Published in London Publication date 21 May 2001   Series title Flamingo Modern Classics Non-book description Paperback   Height (mm) 197 Writer of preface William S. Burroughs   Width (mm) 130 DEWEY 823.914   Academic level General

'I would argue that "The Atrocity Exhibition" represents the zenith of the experimental novel in English. But Ballard's marginalia are a tour de force, a wholly original work in their own right. One can hear Ballard's voice as he offers a surreal evening class on his own work, life and preoccupations. This one is a must.' Will Self, Time Out 'Brilliant and unnerving!a writer with talent to burn.' The Times 'These stories -- "condensed novels", Ballard has called them -- are a high-water mark in English experimental fiction.' New York TImes

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