J.G. Ballard: Miracles of LifeA striking reminiscence from J. G. Ballard:

Shanghai was one of the largest cities in the world, 90% Chinese and 100% Americanised. Bizarre advertising displays – the honour guard of 50 Chinese hunchbacks outside the premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame sticks in my mind – were part of the everyday reality of the city, though I sometimes wonder if everyday reality was the one element missing.

- J. G. Ballard @ Times Online: Link.

Via Boing Boing.

Miracles of Life @ Amazon.

I’m saddened to hear that Ballard is in the late stages of cancer. I read some of his books and short stories over the years, beginning in my teens; never so much as to make me a fan, but enough to give me the sense that I’d met the author and liked him as a person.