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Empire of the Sun
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Empire of the Sun

work by Ballard
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Quick Summary

Empire of the Sun is a 1984 novel by J.G. Ballard, largely autobiographical, detailing his experiences as a boy in a Japanese prison camp near Shanghai during World War II. The novel was later adapted into a film in 1987.1

The book's setting and themes are influenced by Ballard's childhood in China and his experiences during the war, which also provided backdrops for his other apocalyptic novels. The novel explores themes of survival and the psychological impact of war, drawing from Ballard's own life and observations of a devastated landscape. The Kindness of Women (1991) is a sequel that continues the story of the protagonist from Empire of the Sun.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. J.G. Ballard
  2. occupation of Japan
  3. Empire of Japan - Japan under U.S. occupation

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