Historical fiction book · Curated
Empire of the Sun
J. G. Ballard · historical fiction
In December 1941, eleven-year-old Jim Graham is separated from his parents when the Japanese army takes the International Settlement in Shanghai, and he survives the streets until he is interned at the Lunghua camp. J. G. Ballard’s 1984 novel is World War II military historical fiction of the years he spends there—hunger, American air raids on the field beside the camp, and the march out of Lunghua as the war collapses.
Why read it: A widely searched war novel—the Ballard title readers look up by name (Booker shortlist, and the Spielberg film), and a Shanghai counterpart to The Narrow Road to the Deep North already on the shelf (not The Kindness of Women).
About this historical novel
Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard is historical fiction set around 1941–1945 in the World War II era period with key settings including Shanghai, Lunghua, Amherst Avenue, the International Settlement. In December 1941, eleven-year-old Jim Graham is separated from his parents when the Japanese army takes the International Settlement in Shanghai, and he survives the streets until he is interned at the Lunghua camp. J. G. Ballard’s 1984 novel is World War II military historical fiction of the years he spends there—hunger, American air raids on the field beside the camp, and the march out of Lunghua as the war collapses.
On HisFic we tag it under 5. Military & war and 1. Literary historical fiction so you can pair it with similar story types. Recurring themes include war, internment, survival, childhood, and occupation. A widely searched war novel—the Ballard title readers look up by name (Booker shortlist, and the Spielberg film), and a Shanghai counterpart to The Narrow Road to the Deep North already on the shelf (not The Kindness of Women).
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Plot summary
In December 1941, eleven-year-old Jim Graham is separated from his parents when the Japanese army takes the International Settlement in Shanghai, and he survives the streets until he is interned at the Lunghua camp. J. G. Ballard’s 1984 novel is World War II military historical fiction of the years he spends there—hunger, American air raids on the field beside the camp, and the march out of Lunghua as the war collapses. A widely searched war novel—the Ballard title readers look up by name (Booker shortlist, and the Spielberg film), and a Shanghai counterpart to The Narrow Road to the Deep North already on the shelf (not The Kindness of Women).
Subgenres
Eras
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- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas · John Boyne
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- Catch-22 · Joseph Heller
On the Mediterranean island of Pianosa in 1944, bombardier John Yossarian is told he can be grounded if he is crazy, and that asking to be grounded proves he is sane, while Colonel Cathcart raises the number of missions again. Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel is World War II military historical fiction of an American bomber squadron, the rule they call Catch-22, and a man the paperwork will not let leave the war.
- From Here to Eternity · James Jones
In February 1941 Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt reports to G Company at Schofield Barracks and refuses to box for the company, while First Sergeant Milt Warden risks his career with the commanding officer’s wife, and both are still in Hawaii when the attack hits Pearl Harbor. James Jones’s 1951 novel is World War II military historical fiction of the Regular Army in the last months before the United States enters the war.
Regions & places
Asia
Shanghai · Lunghua · Amherst Avenue · the International Settlement · China
Themes
- war
- internment
- survival
- childhood
- occupation
Tags
war · award-winner · classic