On a day in April, just after three o'clock in the afternoon, Robert Maitland's car crashes over the concrete parapet of a high-speed highway onto the island below, where he is injured and, finally, trapped. What begins as an almost ludicrous predicament soon turns into horror as Maitland--a wickedly modern Robinson Crusoe--realizes that, despite evidence of other inhabitants, this doomed terrain has become a mirror of his own mind. Seeking the dark outer rim of the everyday, Ballard weaves private catastrophe into an ...
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On a day in April, just after three o'clock in the afternoon, Robert Maitland's car crashes over the concrete parapet of a high-speed highway onto the island below, where he is injured and, finally, trapped. What begins as an almost ludicrous predicament soon turns into horror as Maitland--a wickedly modern Robinson Crusoe--realizes that, despite evidence of other inhabitants, this doomed terrain has become a mirror of his own mind. Seeking the dark outer rim of the everyday, Ballard weaves private catastrophe into an intensely specular allegory.
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Seller's Description:
Good. First edition copy. Collectible-Good. Reprint. 5th printing. Lower corner slightly bumped. From the library of science fiction and fantasy writer, editor, publisher and prolific book reviewer D. Douglas Fratz. (science fiction, fantasy, short stories)
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
The theme of the book and its setting is a piece of land isolated by intersecting motorways. Now a wilderness it was once part of a street, cinema and graveyard.
In 1970s, when the book was written, the motorway was a fairly recent addition to the English landscape and not so pervasive as it is now.
But Ballard recognised the changing times and found a fresh setting for a story, the Concrete Island, a modern unoccupied space. Shades of Robinson Crusoe but also reminded me of Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household.
