The novel, Tropic of Cancer, marked a turning point when it was published in 1934. The explicit content does not disturb us now. However, when it was published it was considered to be shockingly rude! Reading Tropic of Cancer is a must. The way in which Miller uses language, 'carries you along'. You get a free ride on his immense libido! The excitement of discovering this novel is a once in a life time event. Miller is crude, detailed and over the top, yet the logic of his life style, means that it is never inappropriate or ill considered.

The recent writings of William Gibson, transform science fiction into a gritty street narrative. His use of technology as the weapons in a global war between rival economic interests,  neatly summarizes globalism. The characters caught in this technologically enhanced universe, are not the traditional 'heroes' that one might hope to find in comic books. They explore the weird and hallucinogenic world that is left when technology gets out of control.

A landmark novel of the 20th century, Ballard combines the sexual excess of Miller with the mechanical obsessions of Henry Ford. We are all haunted by the images of car crashes. Sitting in our cars or on buses on the motorways; we are protected from the outside world and the possible reality of a mangled wreck of metal, flesh and tarmac. Ballard goes head long into this possibility, and turns it into a probability by following some demented yet poetic individuals.