The novel opens with the narrator recovering in hospital after a serious car crash in which he has killed the husband of a young woman doctor. In his pain-filled dreams he finds himself dominated by strange sexual fantasies, and he determines to find the real meaning of this horrific experience. When he leaves hospital he revisits the scene of the crash, and meets the woman doctor. During their affair they begin an exploration of the motor-car in all forms, attending stock-car races, watching test vehicles being crashed, ...
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The novel opens with the narrator recovering in hospital after a serious car crash in which he has killed the husband of a young woman doctor. In his pain-filled dreams he finds himself dominated by strange sexual fantasies, and he determines to find the real meaning of this horrific experience. When he leaves hospital he revisits the scene of the crash, and meets the woman doctor. During their affair they begin an exploration of the motor-car in all forms, attending stock-car races, watching test vehicles being crashed, conducting a variety of sexual experiments on London motorways. A disquieting vision of the future in which sex and technology form a nighmare marriage.
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very recommendable seller, everything was on time and shape they promised
CatParty
Oct 20, 2008
Disgusting, Pornographic, and Great
Usually I wouldn't use the terms "disgusting" and "pornographic" in the same sentence as the word "great", but J.G. Ballard has inspired me to do so. I think what really fascinated me by this book was that it presented an idea so radically different than anything I have ever known previously. Basically, Crash is about a group of people who become sexually excited during a car crash, and the different lives they lead and their connection. It is very graphic and vulgar, and yet has such a strange uniqueness that I felt compelled to read it. Ballard merges the concepts of technology and sexuality with grotesque but eloquent writing. For example, one quote from the book (don't worry, it will not reveal any spoilers), is an excellent example of what I am trying to convey; "Already I was aware that the interlocked radiator grilles of our cars formed the model of an inescapable and perverse union between us." James, the main character, if you will, is describing the violent car crash that created his awe and fascination for the intimacy of car crashes. He is brought further into this world of sex and pain when he meets the eccentric Vaughn. I don't want to call all the people involved immoral, because there is something very human and desperate to these acts of violent sexual activity; they are sort of on a different level, despite how primative their behavior seems. If you will be offended by vulgarity, do not read this book. If you have a very weak stomach, do not read this book. If you are neither of these, and you are looking to read something that is obscene and revolutionary in thought, then you must read this book.
