I enjoy Amis' style . . .

[gnhrtg]

Haven't read much. Just The War Against Cliche, Money, and his book on excursions. Of what I've read, I like "Money" the best which tells me that I might enjoy his fiction more than his criticisms and personal memoirs etc. Since I am in a reading mood (now that fall's here) and there seem to be a lot of book-worms around, I'm seeking some recommendations.

Although my guess is that I'll end up reading them all quite soon, which of Amis' books should I tackle next? I've read a number of interviews which start by saying "everyone wants to write like Amis..." Really? Who might these be? Or alternatively if you think that Amis is good but the real Kenny G is someone else, would you care to let me know who (s)he might be?

Have a nice day.

[Pete C]

Have you read Amis the Elder? Lucky Jim is a hoot, but you're dealing with a sexist Tory.

[Douglas]

If you count negative recommendations then Time’s Arrow – the only one I’ve read and the reason why I've only read one.

[Jon Abbey]

the new one, Yellow Dog (out here in November), is so much worse than Time's Arrow, it's remarkable, and Time's Arrow is quite bad. I really can't wait to see the reviews.

I'd say London Fields, to answer the original question.

[Pete C]

Success is pretty good. I think it immediately preceded Money.

[gnhrtg]

London Fields was one of his first, if not the first, efforts, wasn't it? To disclose some of my intentions, I was thinking of getting either The Information of London Fields, so that suits me.

No, have not read Kingsley Amis. Incidentally, I care about the "hoot" part and have learned (I think/hope) not to mind affiliations with or subscriptions to extreme/irrational etc. views.

Oh, and also thanks for the quick replies - I think this has to be one of the distinguishing more features of this board. I, for one, am online for the better part of the day. Not really proud of it though.

[mjb]

I like Martin Amis' work a lot. I find fascinating to view the backlash that continues to develop momentum. It seems so vituperative more than anything.

Some do still like his work - take a look here Yellow Dog - review


I do not think "Time's Arrow" is "bad." I think it is difficult, a bit (deliberately) confusing, rewarding and thought provoking. It is also not close to the place to start with Martin Amis. He is never "easy." His love of and use of language can sometimes temporarily overwhelm but it is almost always worth going back to revisit & work out what he means.

Money still makes me laugh out loud and wince. Plain wonderful & so dark.

The Rachel Papers - his first novel - is great fun.

The Information is a personal favourite though it is perhaps one of his more difficult reads.

[Monte Smith]

Koba the Dread: Laughter and the Twenty Million. New in paperback!



This is the strangest book about Stalin ever written: a pretty straight-forward account of the horror of the USSR plus a public argument with Christopher Hitchens plus an homage to Kingsley plus a mournful elegy to Martin's deceased sister. Recommended.

[Jon Abbey]

mjb, have you read Yellow Dog? it's the worst book I've read in years by anyone, remarkably inept. I question any reviewer who enjoys it, my guess would be that they have some sort of allegiance to the publisher, Amis, or his agent. but if you don't believe me, don't take my word for it, waste a few hours of your own time and read it for yourself, then report back.

[Rob C]

I didn't care much for The Information, though it's been a while since I read it, so I can't remember exactly why that was. I did like London Fields pretty well, but I found the police procedural one, the title of which is escaping me at the moment, kind of dull.

I did enjoy his essays, in the collection Visiting Mrs. Nabokov, quite a lot.

[walto]

I preferred "The Information" (which I liked a lot) to "Money" (which I mostly enjoyed). The only other stuff I've read has been political essays and gossipy stuff.

[gnhrtg]

The police-y one, I believe is called, "Night Train" - and I'll give an admittedly nonsensical reason not to include it in my short-list: it is just too short to get me involved. Looks like it's either the Information or London Fields.

[stonemonkts]

I enjoyed both London Fields and The Imformation very much indeed. Amis has a very sharp sardonic wit. As far as being difficult, I didn't think The Information all that opaque (some parts reminded me of early Bellow).

London Fields has laugh out loud parts, while at the same time being quite dark. Wickedly funny characters.

[Brian Olewnick]

I recently read his memoir, 'Experience'. Interesting stuff, well-written, but I found myself rather disliking him personally. His dad, whatever his multiple shortcomings, seems to have been far more fascinating.

[Jonathan Sutton]

Other People came between Success and Money, I think, and as I recall, it is pretty good (read it over 10 years ago). I liked it more than Success. (In general, I feel: before and including London Fields, mostly pretty good, after LF: fairly rapid decline, although I liked Experience and some later short journalistic pieces. I've given up on his fiction.)

[Monte Smith]

No one for Koba? One of the most interesting authors of our time writes a book about the biggest monster of the 20th century--and no one has read it? I don't get it.

[Dr Dave]

"Money: A Suicide Note" is the full title, and it's his best so far. His most obscene, as he takes on the obscenity of the Reagan/Thatcher "go-go" years. It still reads pretty good, even after the Roaring '90s. And poor John Self. What author has ever been more gratuitously (and hilariously) cruel to his central character?

[gnhrtg]

On my limited exposure, I would agree Dr. Dave. In fact that was what my original post was on; having really enjoyed "Money" I was looking for recommendations of others works that portray a similar style - to which I did get many answers, let's see what I'll pick-up this weekend from WH Smith.

[It was also quite a coincidence to find out after starting this thread that one of the people at the dinner table - eating out - last night was in fact reading Koba.]

[Dr Dave]

You might try his collection of short stories called "Einstein's Monsters." It's either really grim or really funny or maybe both. There's a story in it about ageing that sounds like a warmup for "Time's Arrow."

[walto]

Dave, did you read "The Information"? I really think it's a bit better than "Money" (with its Anthony Perkins in the grandma outfit ending).

[Monte Smith]

Originally posted by gnhrtg
[It was also quite a coincidence to find out after starting this thread that one of the people at the dinner table - eating out - last night was in fact reading Koba.]

Hurrah! Love to hear your impressions. Mine were that it was an odd and compelling book.

[gnhrtg]

I don't have any impressions yet as it was, as I said, one of the people at my table. She said that she'd just started and liked it so far. Though, thinking about it, I could use some history [I'll be honest, I like the cover, and I also like Russina composers so] myself and hoping that the style with which he writes is similar I think I might pick this up along with "Information" or "London Fields." Uh...I guess that I'll have to get into a bit of late-night reading to read these (and some books on classical music that I'm eager to read) along with all the stuff I gotta read and digest for my studies.

The incident in more detail took place as follows: This lady was rummaging through her backpack trying to locate her check-book when an inquisitive friend of mine saw the book therein and asked what she was reading; to which she replied: "Oh, it's a book on Stalin." when I remarked, most astonished, "Don't tell me it's Koba by Amis." It is interesting, methinks, cause I would've never thought that she (or anyone around here) would be reading a book on Stalin - she's a prof. in decision sciences - that and right hours after my starting the thread here (well, that's as interesting as it gets around here)

Almost competely irrelevant note here: I also do like Celine's (Louis Ferdinand Destouches) Journey to the End of Night. I think it's great: funny, probing, reflective, and dramatic (no, not at once).

[Monte Smith]

I see, gnhrtg. Sorry for misunderstanding. But plainly the gods are telling you to read Koba the Dread. Yes...once again the gods and I are on the same page.

Amis' book is, I think, a pretty good intro to the Russian fiasco of last century. But he writes about Bob Conquest and references his works. Conquest is a great historian of that era (and a friend to both Martin and Kingsley).

I love Journey to the End of Night, too. The writing is wonderfully energetic and kinda goofball.