You've Read The Book, Now See The Movie!

Have finished Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard.

I haven't read much war fiction, but this semi-autobiographical account of a young boy trapped in WWII-era China was a harrowing and relentless read. Having said that, there were moments of aching beauty and profundity.

The edition I read had an account by Ballard at the end of the novel in which he describes his actual war experience. He went through some very hard times, but managed to stay with his family, something Jim is not able to do in the novel. The hardships Jim and his fellow prisoners endure are almost impossible to read about, and Ballard really captures the utter hopelessness and madness of wartime.

I very much want to see the film of this novel now...Christian Bale as a young boy!

Up next: The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles.