Quinto Bookshop

It is rare for a proof copy to be reprinted, but this was the case with J.G. Ballard’s 1987 novel The Day of Creation. Our copy states:

‘This early proof is reproduced from the author’s uncorrected and unedited typescript. Nothing should be quoted from this version without being checked against the final copy.’

It’s basically a facsimile of the typescript, which is fairly uncommon as it as.

The publisher Victor Gollancz then issued a later proof completely re-set and laid out for publication, with white covers and a black and white image of a steamboat on the front. It also has some early quotes on the back cover, which must have come from readers of the ‘early proof’. This version has fewer pages and states: ‘This is an advanced reading copy from uncorrected proofs’. It was this second proof that was sent out to reviewers and bookshops.

The Day of Creation is by no means Ballard’s best novel, but it was the first I ever read and for that reason I am very keen on it. Retrospectively it almost feels like a Ballard pastiche. When reading his earlier novels I recognised a lot from my first experience: themes, style, ideas – Ballard rarely surprised me after that first time. Some might say his writing is a bit limited; fans would probably call it consistent.

Ballard is certainly one of the most distinguishable writers. You only need a few lines to know you’re reading a Ballard. Personally I love his work, especially the early ‘World trilogy’ (The Drowned World, The Burning World and The Crystal World).

His early novels are very collectable and I expect that this won’t change. Ballard is one of those rare writers who, although popular and widely read, is still a bit of a cult figure: owning a first edition of Crash of High Rise is almost an artistic statement.