Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard is a powerful historical novel set during World War II, following young Jim Graham, a British boy living in Shanghai. When Japan invades, Jim becomes separated from his parents and is forced to survive alone in the chaos of war. Captured and sent to an internment camp, he experiences hunger, loss, and the harsh realities of conflict while maintaining his resilience and fascination with aviation. The novel explores themes of war, survival, and the loss of innocence, drawing from Ballard’s own childhood experiences during the war. His vivid storytelling and emotional depth make it a compelling read.
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