Life upheavals dominated last month, and may continue to do so for the forseeable future. Rather than go on about that, however, I did want to take the time mark the real tragedy of April ‘09, namely the passing of James Graham Ballard, a writer who’s had a profound and lasting effect on me. The quality and character of the tributes he’s received in the mainstream press are their own testament. In Ballard we lose not just a great writer, but a truly visionary thinker whose influence extends far beyond the medium in which he worked. Normally I’d be slightly cynical about and dismissive of the mass media coverage that accompanies the death of a famous writer, even in the case of a personal favourite (perhaps especially so), but quite frankly, Ballard’s ideas and insights are always worthy of wider discussion, and I applaud the recognition of that.
Reading for April:
- Compositions for the Young and Old by Paul G Trembelay
- Local by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly
- City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff Vandermeer
Nothing quite on the Ballardian level of course. Stand-out read was probably Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly’s Local, a handsome hardcover collection of their 12 issue series from Oni. Touchingly poignant and meticulously constructed, it’s a fantastic achievement that beautifully marries craft and concept. That Vandermeer bloke is bloody good too mind.
