The Terminal Beach - Short Stories

Published in 1964 by Gollancz, The Terminal Beach is a landmark collection of twelve stories by J. G. Ballard. The first Gollancz printing is notably scarce. The title story, “The Terminal Beach” (1964), is a seminal work of inner space fiction in which a grieving man isolates himself on the nuclear testing island of Eniwetok to await extinction. This edition differs markedly from its American counterpart, placing greater emphasis on symbolic, ecological, and psychological collapse. Notable inclusions include “The Illuminated Man” (1964), a precursor to Ballard’s novel The Crystal World, and “The Drowned Giant” (1964), a fable-like account of the public dismantling of a colossal body washed ashore.

This edition collects: “The Terminal Beach” (1964), “A Question of Re-Entry” (1963), “The Drowned Giant” (1964), “End-Game” (1963), “The Illuminated Man” (1964), “The Reptile Enclosure” (1963), “The Delta at Sunset” (1964), “Deep End” (1961), “The Volcano Dances” (1964), “Billenium” (1961), “The Gioconda of the Twilight Noon” (1964), and “The Lost Leonardo” (1964).

Hardcover. First Edition, First Printing. Octavo, red paper-covered boards with gold lettering on spine. London: Gollancz, 1964. #11478.
Near fine in original dust jacket with the uncommon publisher’s promotional wraparound band. Small bookseller label to front pastedown and slight foxing to top edge. Jacket near fine with minimal soiling and trivial wear. An unusually well-preserved copy of one of Ballard’s most difficult titles to find in genuinely collectible condition.