Books

First hardback edition, first impression, of Ballard's seminal work of climate change science fiction. The novel takes place in the year 2145, when global warming has left the majority of the Earth underwater. Together with Ballard's The Crystal World (1966), the work is a founding text in climate fiction, written before climate change had been widely identified by scientists. The Drowned World first appeared as a novella in Science Fiction Adventures in January 1962; the expanded book form publication was first issued later the same year in paperback by Berkley, New York. While the imprint of the present edition states 1962, it was actually published in January 1963. Octavo. Original red cloth, spine lettered in gilt. With dust jacket. Head of spine bumped, foxing to edges occasionally extending onto margins, else clean; jacket spine panel and edges toned, spine panel ends and corners chipped, short closed tear at foot of rear panel fold, unclipped: a very good copy in like jacket. Pringle A22. Jim Clarke, "Reading Climate Change in J. G. Ballard", Critical Survey, vol. 25, no. 2, 2013.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where solar radiation has melted the ice caps, ‘The Drowned World’ explores the effects of climate change on the Earth and its remaining inhabitants. The novel follows the protagonist, Dr. Robert Kerans, as he and his companions navigate the flooded cities of the former civilization.