Ballardian Diversions
Ballardian Diversions by Mike Bonsall, published by Richard McGrath on April 8, 2025, is a unique exploration of the works of JG Ballard through a creative lens. This 130-page book invites readers to engage with various games and activities inspired by Ballard’s literary universe, blending imagination with a deep appreciation for his themes and style.
In this collection, readers will find a variety of interactive elements, such as a set of Terminal Tarot cards based on Ballard’s prose poem, What I Believe, and imaginative mappings of iconic stories like The Terminal Beach and High-Rise. Bonsall also connects his own academic background in medicine to Ballard’s anatomical prose, offering insights into the influences that shaped the author’s work. With full-color illustrations throughout, this edition serves as a reference for fans of science fiction and those interested in the intersection of art and literature.
Official synopsis Publisher
Mix a curious JG Ballard aficionado with a computer and a lot of patience and imagination and you’ll come close to Mike Bonsall’s Ballardian Diversions, a wide-ranging collection of games and explorations unique in the Ballardian world. Consult the tarot? Mike has concocted a set of Terminal Tarot cards based on JGB’s prose poem, What I Believe. You can copy them and use Mike’s Interpretations chart. Ever tried to imagine the topography of JGB’s classic story, The Terminal Beach? Mike has mapped it out. Same with High-Rise. JGB read a Waverly encyclopedia in Shanghai as a child, and later sold it door-to-door. Ever wonder what possibly-influential art the young JGB devoured? Check some examples. Mike also studied to be a doctor, and read the same Cunningham’s Manual of Physical Anatomy as Ballard did at Cambridge, and has linked the Manual’s only-too-scientific drawings to JGB’s often anatomical prose. How about AI-generated text in the Ballard style? Got it. Or guessing the name of a Ballard novel from lego clues. You get the picture. All full colour throughout.
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