World's Edge
A haunting collection of near-future fiction from a master of American Noir
Will be published approx. on 2. July 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-83501-311-3 (ISBN)
Description
James Sallis' collection of five novellas.
'James Sallis is a superb writer ' - Times
James Sallis' World's Edge presents five masterful novellas-Dayenu, Carriers, Settlers, Allotments, and Reconstruction-exploring fractured societies, human resilience, and the fragile intersections of morality and survival. Sallis's prose, as sharp as it is evocative, captures the nuances of his dystopian and near-future settings, resonating with themes of dislocation and identity. Widely regarded as a pivotal voice in contemporary US fiction, Sallis's work aligns with literary giants such as Cormac McCarthy and Denis Johnson, weaving the poetic bleakness of the former with the incisive character studies of the latter. These stories draw readers into a world both intimate and unyielding, where existential questions lurk beneath stark, elegant narratives.
'James Sallis is a superb writer ' - Times
James Sallis' World's Edge presents five masterful novellas-Dayenu, Carriers, Settlers, Allotments, and Reconstruction-exploring fractured societies, human resilience, and the fragile intersections of morality and survival. Sallis's prose, as sharp as it is evocative, captures the nuances of his dystopian and near-future settings, resonating with themes of dislocation and identity. Widely regarded as a pivotal voice in contemporary US fiction, Sallis's work aligns with literary giants such as Cormac McCarthy and Denis Johnson, weaving the poetic bleakness of the former with the incisive character studies of the latter. These stories draw readers into a world both intimate and unyielding, where existential questions lurk beneath stark, elegant narratives.
Reviews / Votes
'a crime novelist with the ear of a poet.'- Atlanta Journal-Constitution 'James Sallis might be the 'purest' writer of crime fiction in America today, which means that, beyond whatever story he's telling, his books are worth reading solely for what rises from the inspired use of language. Sallis is a man of multiple talents: poet, translator, musician, teacher and a crime fiction scholar.' - San Francisco Chronicle 'James Sallis is a master of the short, sharp crime novel.' - Shots 'Sallis is never about plot, but always about good writing. This little gem is a case in point.' - Kirkus Reviews 'Sallis is an unsung genius of crime writing.' - Independent on Sunday 'Sallis has a wonderful command of the English language, which makes his every book an experience to savour. Highly recommended.' - Library Journal 'Sallis's deceptively easy style disguises the skill with which he has produced a satisfyingly complete portrait of a man's life.' - Telegraph 'Sallis is a fastidious man, intelligent and widely read. There's nothing slapdash or merely strategic about his work, it is peculiar and visionary.' - London Review of Books 'James Sallis is a superb writer ' - Times 'He's right up there, one of the best of the best.' - Ian Rankin, The GuardianMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-83501-311-3 (9781835013113)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
James Sallis
World's Edge
A haunting collection of near-future fiction from a master of American Noir
E-Book
approx. 07/2026
Bedford Square Publishers
€11.49
Not yet available
Person
James Sallis published sixteen novels, multiple collections of short stories, essays, and poems, books of musicology, a biography of Chester Himes, and a translation of Raymond Queneau's novel Saint Glinglin. He wrote about books for the LA Times, New York Times, and Washington Post, and for some years served as a books columnist for the Boston Globe. He received a lifetime achievement award from Bouchercon, the Hammett Award for literary excellence in crime writing, and The Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere. Sallis passed away in January 2026.