Reports from the Deep End
Stories Inspired by J. G. Ballard
Published on 4. November 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
496 pages
978-1-80336-319-6 (ISBN)
Description
A fascinating and unsettling anthology of 32 science fiction short stories in tribute to the prophetic dystopias of New Wave sci-fi pioneer, and literary titan of the twentieth century, J. G. Ballard-featuring Will Self, Iain Sinclair, Christopher Fowler, Chris Beckett, and a new Jerry Cornelius story from Michael Moorcock.
Few authors are so iconic that their name is an adjective - Ballard is one of them.
Master of both literary and science fiction, his novels such as Empire of the Sun, Crash and Cocaine Nights show a world out of joint - a bewildering, alienating and yet enthralling place. From his rapturously weird takes on contemporary reality to his classic dystopias like The Drowned World and High Rise, Ballard's legacy shaped the future of literature.
This first-of-its-kind anthology, featuring our greatest literary and science fiction authors, including the pioneering Will Self, pays tribute to the unique visions of humanity's uncanny and uneasy clash with the future - our empires of concrete - seen through the warped lens of J. G. Ballard.
Edited by renowned editors Maxim Jakubowski and Rick McGrath, this collection includes stories by:
Will Self
Iain Sinclair
Christopher Fowler
Chris Beckett
Michael Moorcock
Jeff Noon
Preston Grassmann
Toby Litt
Christine Poulson
David Gordon
Hanna Jameson
James Lovegrove
Ramsey Campbell
Barry N. Malzberg
Paul Di Filippo
Samathan Lee Howe
Nick Mamatas
Adrian McKinty
Rhys Hughes
Adrian Cole
Pat Cadigan
Adam Roberts
George Sandison
Geoff Nicholson
A.K. Benedict
Andrew Hook
David Quantick
Lavie Tidhar
James Grady
Few authors are so iconic that their name is an adjective - Ballard is one of them.
Master of both literary and science fiction, his novels such as Empire of the Sun, Crash and Cocaine Nights show a world out of joint - a bewildering, alienating and yet enthralling place. From his rapturously weird takes on contemporary reality to his classic dystopias like The Drowned World and High Rise, Ballard's legacy shaped the future of literature.
This first-of-its-kind anthology, featuring our greatest literary and science fiction authors, including the pioneering Will Self, pays tribute to the unique visions of humanity's uncanny and uneasy clash with the future - our empires of concrete - seen through the warped lens of J. G. Ballard.
Edited by renowned editors Maxim Jakubowski and Rick McGrath, this collection includes stories by:
Will Self
Iain Sinclair
Christopher Fowler
Chris Beckett
Michael Moorcock
Jeff Noon
Preston Grassmann
Toby Litt
Christine Poulson
David Gordon
Hanna Jameson
James Lovegrove
Ramsey Campbell
Barry N. Malzberg
Paul Di Filippo
Samathan Lee Howe
Nick Mamatas
Adrian McKinty
Rhys Hughes
Adrian Cole
Pat Cadigan
Adam Roberts
George Sandison
Geoff Nicholson
A.K. Benedict
Andrew Hook
David Quantick
Lavie Tidhar
James Grady
Reviews / Votes
PRAISE FOR MAXIM JAKUBOWSKIA well written sharp, incisive crime story (much like a dagger thrust should be) is a thing of beauty. There are many in this anthology. Read and enjoy.
- Frost Magazine
Quality and variety... are guaranteed.
- Morning Star
Chilling and crafty, and full of devious characters. Not all of the victims are innocent, and the effects of each story will linger long after you close the volume.
- The Girl Who Reads
It's good to see earlier contributions from such luminaries as Peter O'Donnell, Julian Rathbone and Larry Beinhart among the star-studded cast which features Ian Rankin, Jeffrey Deaver, Denise Mina and John Harvey.
- Shots Mag
The daggers are drawn, business ends out. An absolute must read for all crime fiction fans.
- Advance the Plot
Edgy, twisted and disturbing, Daggers Drawn is a visceral and thrilling collection showcasing the very best modern crime fiction has to offer.
- Book Lover's Boudoir
[A]n overall entertaining tale of short stories with quite a few enjoyable tales to entice the reader.
- Run Along the Shelves
I'd definitely recommend this great collection for anyone who is a crime fiction fan.
- Snazzy Books
[A]n engrossing and entertaining read.
- Annarellix Review
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
350 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80336-319-6 (9781803363196)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Maxim Jakubowski is a noted anthology editor based in London, just a mile or so away from where he was born. With over 70 volumes to his credit, including Invisible Blood, the 13 annual volumes of The Mammoth Book of Best British Mysteries, and titles on Professor Moriarty, Jack the Ripper, Future Crime and Vintage whodunits. A publisher for over 20 years, he was also the co-owner of London's Murder One bookstore and the crime columnist for Time Out and then The Guardian for 22 years. Stories from his anthologies have won most of the awards in the field on numerous occasions. He is currently the Chair of the Crime Writers' Association and a Sunday Times bestselling novelist in another genre.