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43 pages 1 hour read

Empire of the Sun

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984

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Book Brief

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J. G. Ballard

Empire of the Sun

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1984
Book Details
Pages

351

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Shanghai, China • 1940s

Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1130L

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Super Short Summary

In Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard, 11-year-old Jim, the son of a wealthy British family in Shanghai, is separated from his parents during the 1941 Japanese attack. Surviving by scavenging, he is captured and spends three years in a prison camp. As the Japanese begin to lose the war and the prisoners face starvation, Jim eventually returns to the camp, now liberated by Americans, and is reunited with his parents.

Mysterious

Melancholic

Dark

Challenging

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.2

22,816 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard is praised for its vivid, haunting depiction of a boy's wartime experiences in Shanghai. Ballard's prose is both evocative and poignant, drawing readers into the emotional and physical trials of the protagonist. However, some critics note that certain narrative elements feel detached. Overall, it's a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Empire of the Sun?

Readers who enjoy Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard are typically drawn to historical novels with intense emotional depth and personal struggle. They may also appreciate books like The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, which explore human resilience against the backdrop of World War II.

4.2

22,816 ratings

74%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

351

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Shanghai, China • 1940s

Publication Year

1984

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1130L

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