At 80, Harrison Pushes Sci-Fi Boundaries

Eighty-year-old author M John Harrison is pushing creative boundaries with his 13th novel, "The End of Everything." The book depicts a disintegrating Britain influenced by the powerful and enigmatic iGhetti. Their origins and purpose are unknown, leaving authorities baffled by their intentions, which could range from invasion to benign 'spiritual tourism.'

Harrison, known for his outdoor-inspired complexion and quick wit, reflects on advice from Iain Banks to "have more fun on the page." Though Banks suggested space opera, Harrison's work, like his Kefahuchi Tract trilogy, offers a unique, often parodic, take.

Born in Rugby in 1945, Harrison's early life was marked by truancy and discovery in libraries, encountering authors like Robbe-Grillet and Ballard. His career began in the 1950s, contributing to sci-fi magazines like New Worlds, influenced by J.G. Ballard's imagist style.

"The End of Everything" is described by Harrison as a novel he might have submitted in 1967 if he'd had the skill then. It aims for a surface of sci-fi with increasing depth, a feat he feels he can now achieve. This follows decades of grappling with genre conventions and finding his authentic voice, particularly after the acclaimed 1989 novel "Climbers."

His 2020 novel, "The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again," won the prestigious Goldsmiths prize, marking a period of highly regarded work in his later years. Harrison continues to seek the next 'impossible thing' to tackle, driven by challenges and a desire to convey the profound enigmas of reality and humanity's impact on the world.