From J. G. Ballard, author of ‘Crash’ and ‘Cocaine Nights’ comes his extraordinary vision of an African forest that turns all in its path to crystal.

"First published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux"--Title page verso.

Ika Ivory's life changed forever one fateful night when a catlike beast entered his home and took the life of his elder sister. He was a child at the time, and he grew up believing this incident was nothing more than a happenstantial tragedy; that he was simply unlucky enough to have his home be the target of a wild creature's thoughtless carnage. Ika learned as he grew older, however, that this creature was more than he once thought. The creature's true form was not a demonic cat, as he encountered it as, but a man. A man known as Kirga. News of this 'Kirga' was beginning to spread across Wenworld. There was rarely a newspaper without his name in the headline. Ika began to obsess over the man who took his sister from him. He began to think of revenge. His unbearable need for it solidified when, on the night of Ika's twelfth birthday, his mother made the decision to tell him the truth about why he didn't grow up with a father like the other kids. He found out his mother had seen the creature who took his sister once before. It was the only other time the beast had been seen in their small hometown; and it was the night when it killed Ika's father, before Ika was born. The sister was, in fact, the second act of merciless violence against the Ivory family. After being told this secret, Ika swore that he would find Kirga one day and discover the truth of why his family specifically was targeted in these attacks. There had to be a reason. Ika's sanity and happiness were held together through his youth by his best friend, Chandi MorrowHill, who he met shortly after the tragedy of his sister's death. He became close with Chandi when he discovered she was also the victim of a traumatic experience. Chandi's parents were taken from her by a man named Wriliara. The two of them grew close as the years went by, helping one another deal with the pain of their experiences. In time they created an unbreakable bond. One was never seen without the other. Eventually, the day came when a certain piece of information in the local newspaper set a determined fire in their grieving hearts. It was being reported that Kirga--who was now going by 'Kirga the Hellcat'--was seen travelling with Wriliara, the same man who killed Chandi's parents. Ika and Chandi made a vow that, together, when they were older and stronger, they would seek the men out to avenge their families. Now, finally, the two of them have grown to an age where they feel they are ready to begin their great hunt. However, if they wish to be strong enough to fight these men when the time arrives, then they will need someone to train them in the complex ways of Wenworld magic. This is where their master comes in: a talking rabbit with an attitude and a penchant for strict discipline. He happens to have more than enough experience with magic to train them efficiently. He agrees to see their quest through to the end, assisting the two teenagers in whatever way he can. The world outside the confines of Ika and Chandi's small town is far larger and more bizarre than they ever could've imagined. They have a lot to learn; about the world, and themselves.

The World of The Dark Crystal invites fans to delve into the creation and lore of the Jim Henson classic through the evocative illustrations of Brian Froud, concept designer on the original film. Since its original release in 1982, Jim Henson’s brilliant film The Dark Crystal has gone on to become a beloved cult classic. The World of Dark Crystal—the original companion art book to the film—was created by Henson and internationally renowned artist Brian Froud to showcase the gorgeous conceptual artwork created for the film and delve deeper into the lore that underpins Thra, the magical world at the heart of the film. Now, for the first time in over a decade, The World of Dark Crystal is back in print, featuring an abundance of striking art and all of the bonus material from the 2003 Collector’s Edition. Also included in this exclusive volume is a fascinating essay by Froud on the creative process behind the making of the film and a facsimile of a booklet presented to the film’s early backers—a gorgeous overview of the story so rare only a few original copies exist. Beautiful, imaginative, and powerful, The World of The Dark Crystal celebrates the landmark fantasy film that continues to win new fans more than three decades after its release.

The year is 2039, and the world is much like ours. Massive automation has disrupted and improved nearly every industry, putting hundreds of millions of people out of jobs, and denying upward mobility for the vast majority of humans. Wealth and technology repair the bodies of the rich while famine and poverty sweep the world. Privately operated ventures carried humans to the moon and beyond, but space stations have become nothing but government trophies and hiding places for extremists. First contact did not bring advanced culture and wisdom, as the aliens were too strange, lacking even mouths or normal language. Face is an artificial intelligence created to understand and gain the adoration of all humans. She and her siblings control the robot named Socrates, using a crystal computer that seems too advanced to be made by human hands. She is learning and growing every second of every day, but the world and the humans on it are fragile. Can it survive her destiny?

This fast-paced narrative by the author of 'Crash' and 'Empire of the Sun' is a stunning evocation of a flooded, tropical London of the near future and a foray into the workings of the unconscious mind.

Quotes can be considered as jewels of human minds and thinking because of their inherent beauty and value. Just like precious gems, quotes are polished and refined expressions of human wisdom, insight, and creativity. Each quote is a unique and exquisite creation that encapsulates a particular idea or perspective, and is crafted with precision and care. Just as precious jewels are treasured for their rarity and beauty, quotes are treasured for their ability to capture the essence of a moment, inspire us with their wisdom, and transform our thinking. They are valuable because they reflect the depth and complexity of human experience, and offer us a glimpse into the minds and souls of some of the greatest thinkers, poets, philosophers, and artists throughout history. Quotes are like little gems that we can carry with us always, and that can light up our lives with their brilliance and beauty.