"Ballard is amongst our finest writers of fiction. " --Anthony Burgess Vermilion Sands is a fully automated desert-resort designed to fulfil the most exotic whims of the idle rich, but now languishes in uneasy decay, populated only by forgotten movie queens, solitary impresarios and the remittance men of the artistic and literary world. It is a lair for beachcombers, hangers-on and malignant obsessions -- a place where sensitive pigments paint portraits of their mistresses in a grotesque parody of art; where prima donna plants are programmed to sing operatic arias; where dial-a-poem computers have replaced poets; where psychosensitive houses are driven to murder by their owners' neuroses; and where love and lust, in the hands of jewel-eyed Jezebels, pall before the stronger pull of evil.

Why You Should Read?

• Explores the unsettling decay of a fully automated desert-resort and its impact on the idle rich.
• Features a cast of unique characters, including forgotten movie queens, solitary impresarios, and remittance men.
• Delves into the intersection of art, technology, and human psychology in a surreal and thought-provoking manner.
• Showcases a distinctive narrative voice, setting it apart from typical science fiction or literary fiction.

About the Author

J.G. Ballard is a highly regarded British novelist, short story writer, and essayist, known for his explorations of dystopian themes and psychological landscapes. He gained prominence for his surreal and often unsettling depictions of urban decay, technological developments, and societal collapse. Ballard's distinctive narrative style and innovative use of science fiction concepts have cemented his place as a seminal figure in the New Wave science fiction movement. His work continues to influence contemporary literature and thought.