Empire Of The Sun books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Empire Of The Sun series?"

"There are two books in the Empire Of The Sun series, published between 1984 and 1991."

Q: "What is the first book in the Empire Of The Sun series?"

"The first book in the Empire Of The Sun series is Empire of the Sun, published in 1984."

Q: "Is Empire of the Sun based on a true story?"

"Yes, it is a fictionalized account of Ballard's childhood in Shanghai during World War II, when he was interned in a Japanese civilian camp. The Kindness of Women continues his semi-autobiographical narrative."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	Empire of the Sun	1984	J.G. Ballard	Buy
2	The Kindness of Women	1991	J.G. Ballard	Buy

Empire of the Sun (1984) is J.G. Ballard’s most famous novel, a fictionalized account of his childhood in Shanghai during the Japanese occupation in World War II. The story follows Jim Graham, a young British boy who is separated from his parents and survives in a civilian internment camp. Steven Spielberg adapted the novel into a 1987 film starring Christian Bale.

The Kindness of Women (1991) is the sequel, following the same semi-autobiographical character through his adult life in postwar England. Together, the two books form a deeply personal account of how wartime experiences shaped Ballard as a person and a writer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Empire Of The Sun series?

There are two books in the Empire Of The Sun series, published between 1984 and 1991.

What is the first book in the Empire Of The Sun series?

The first book in the Empire Of The Sun series is Empire of the Sun, published in 1984.

Is Empire of the Sun based on a true story?

Yes, it is a fictionalized account of Ballard’s childhood in Shanghai during World War II, when he was interned in a Japanese civilian camp. The Kindness of Women continues his semi-autobiographical narrative.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order