The drowned world

When London is lost beneath the rising tides, unconscious desires rush to the surface in this apocalyptic tale from the author of ‘Crash’ and ‘Empire of the Sun’, reissued here with an introduction from Martin Amis. All the way down the creek, perched in the windows of the office blocks and department stores, the iguanas watched them go past. London, 2145. The climate crisis has transformed the city into a primeval jungle, with rising tides and oppressive heat putting human life at risk.

The streets are now swamps; lush tropical vegetation grows up the walls of the Ritz and reptiles are seen swimming through the newly-formed lagoons.

Some flee the wasteland capital; others remain to pursue reckless schemes in the name of science and profit.

As the world comes face to face with its future, how will humanity reckon with its ancient past?