First in a two volume collection of short stories by the acclaimed author of ‘Empire of the Sun’, ‘Crash’ and ‘Super-Cannes’. The new edition is introduced by Adam Thirwell.‘A one-man genre. He was impregnably sui generis. No one is or was remotely like him’ Martin AmisFor over four decades, J. G. Ballard was one of Britain’s most celebrated and original novelists. However, during his long career he was also a prolific writer of short stories, a form in which many argue he laid his firmest claim to greatness.This, the first book in a two-volume collection, offers an unparalleled introduction to a master storyteller. Set out in the original order of publication, its stories – many of them embryos for later novels – present the full imaginative range of one of Britain’s greatest writers.This edition is part of a new commemorative series of Ballard’s works, featuring introductions from a number of his admirers (including Ali Smith, Iain Sinclair, Martin Amis and Ned Beauman) and brand-new cover designs from the artist Stanley Donwood.