"Empire of the Sun" is a novel by J.G. Ballard, published in 1984. It is a semi-autobiographical story set during World War II, focusing on a young British boy named Jim, who is separated from his parents in Shanghai. The narrative explores his experiences in a Japanese internment camp and his struggle for survival amidst the chaos of war. The novel was adapted into a film directed by Steven Spielberg in 1987, which brought wider recognition to the story. Both the book and the film highlight themes of loss, resilience, and the impact of war on childhood, making it a poignant reflection on human experience.