Collision (novel)

Collision is a 2005 novel by British author J.G. Ballard. The narrative explores themes of alienation, the hyper-reality of modern life, and the potent allure of violence and the automobile. The plot revolves around a television producer named James Ballard (a recurring name in Ballard's work, often used as a semi-autobiographical stand-in) who becomes dangerously obsessed with car crashes, specifically those involving celebrities.

The novel charts James Ballard's growing fascination with Catherine Markham, the widow of a man who died in a spectacular motorway accident. Together, they pursue a twisted and sexually charged relationship focused on re-enacting, witnessing, and fetishizing vehicular collisions. These acts become a form of catharsis and a means of exploring the psychological impact of technology and media saturation.

Collision is characterized by Ballard's typically clinical and detached prose style, which contrasts sharply with the disturbing and often perverse nature of the characters' desires. The novel is notable for its unflinching portrayal of the human psyche's darker impulses and its exploration of the boundaries between reality and simulation. It builds upon themes explored in his earlier works, such as Crash, extending the investigation into the intersection of technology, sex, and death.