J.G. Ballard's Crash

[yertle-the-turtle]

I've heard a lot about this book, so I picked it up at the library today.

I read the first chapter. I am pretty freaked out. I think I might force myself to read a bit more, but it's already very uncomfortable reading. The movie is banned here, I think. Has anyone read this, or seen the film (it's by Cronenberg I believe) and what are your thoughts on it?

 

[Lemon Meringue]

I've never heard of it.

 

[hiphop]

Ballard? The one who was the teacher of Stuart Sutcliffe?

 

[theSoulfulMofo]

Yeah, it's a pretty disturbing book... I think Ballard was trying to show how likely people take art and sexuality too far... the scary thing is Ballard is known as the most prescient sci-fi writer of the 20th/21st century...

I suggest reading Jean Baudrillard's Simulation and Simulcra... and take a look at his essay on J.G. Ballard's Crash.

 

[Anthony]

yertle, if you're talking from the U.K, 'Crash' the movie isn't banned anymore. It was when it was first released, but it eventually reached our shores (the ban was lifted relatively quickly), they even had it on Channel 4 a few months ago. Should you look for it in a large enough video store, you'll find it.

I saw the movie, hated it. However, I don't appreciate Mr.Cronenberg's films anyway, I think he's severely overrated, much like Mr. Ballard himself.

I read the book. Cold, controversial, and completely pointless. Yes, I'm sure there's a point in there somewhere, but its so difficult to make out, what with all of Ballard's pornography.

Ant.