I'd like to begin reading his work, but I don't know what the best introductory book is. Also, thoughts on Amis? Authors like him? What's his best book?
I'd like to begin reading his work, but I don't know what the best introductory book is. Also, thoughts on Amis? Authors like him? What's his best book?
Money or London Fields
I own London Fields, but not Money. I saw that Money was on the IQfy "underrated classics" list, so I might wait to get that. Thanks for the recommendation
> IQfy "underrated classics" list
post list please
Sorry, I was mistaken. Money was on the 1975-1999 list. I'll post both lists anyways
This anon's advice is sound (Money is probably goes down easier than LF, if you're just getting acquainted), but do not miss out on The Information. Funniest book I've ever read, even when it's relentlessly bleak. Godlike prose. Promise me you'll give it a shot.
Also, don't miss out on his nonfiction. The War Against Cliché and The Rub of Time are excellent collections. Reading Amis on literature is like nothing else (the political pieces run out of steam toward the end, but that is to be expected of any aging writer, really).
There's something about Amis that just hits the spot for me. He'll never be considered a "major" author, for various reasons, but I respect his commitment to what he calls the pleasure principle. His writing is always sharp and beautiful, and never difficult or disorienting in a blowhard way.
I have the Information, so I'll make sure to read that! I was really looking for a reply from someone who was passionate about Amis, so thank you for replying. I'll also check out his essay collection, although I don't have any of them yet. Zadie Smith, the author of White Teeth, said on Bookworm that Amis was always ahead of his time. I wonder if those essays are what she was talking about.
His essays are much better than his novels.
his father was a better novelist, try him instead
I have a couple of his books, including Lucky Jim, which is where I was going to start
Better yet, just read Decline and Fall by Waugh.
Certainly looks interesting. I'll check it out. Thank you
>Where to Start with Martin Amis
Try reading his first book.
This
Does it hold up? He doesn't like it, but few authors rate their first efforts.
He is an excellent critic, and not a bad novelist. I still take down The War Against Cliché to check if he's written something an author or a book.
Novel wise: Money was a big one for me, and i should really read it again. I liked Yellow Dog and Lionel Asbo, but both are probably his most hated works so maybe dont start with them. Asbo in particular took me a while to 'get'; It's not the angry old man book it pretends to be and is exceptionally funny.
Thanks, this post gave me the courage to finally try Lionel Asbo. I haven't even dared to sample it for fear of "bloody youths on them bloody mobiles innit" type writing.
I read half when it came out and put it down for that exact reason. i was too close to it, it felt angry. Then i picked it up 2 years ago and with the benefit of distance realized the Daily Express tone was intentional. Also a culture i might have been inclined to defend back then seems kinda replant to me now.
It's a fun book,and has few pretensions. Reminds me of later Kingly just a little bit.