Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun
By J.G. Ballard
Published: 1984

Empire of the Sun is Ballard's semi-autobiographical novel of the Second World War in China. We follow the main character, Jim a young slightly detached boy from a well to do British family in Shanghai, from the beginng of the war when he is seperated from his parents, to the Internment Camp at Lunghua, and the chaos and civil war that followed the Japanese defeat. Along the way Jim incounters brutal and helpful Japanese, a self serving American named Basie, a selfless doctor, and a viscous gang of bandits. As the world he was born to die's Jim builds a childs confused understanding of war. An interesting book, as it shows the war in China threw the eyes of a young boy. Ballard makes us question ourselves, and ask how would I reacte in this situation? Would I be selfless like the Doctor? Or would I place my own survival above all else?

*** out of ****

Sidenote, Empire of the Sun was filmed by Steven Speilberg.