Where to Start with Martin Amis

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?

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  1. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    Money or London Fields

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      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

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        > IQfy "underrated classics" list
        post list please

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          Sorry, I was mistaken. Money was on the 1975-1999 list. I'll post both lists anyways

          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous
          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous
    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      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.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        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.

  2. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    His essays are much better than his novels.

  3. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    his father was a better novelist, try him instead

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      I have a couple of his books, including Lucky Jim, which is where I was going to start

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        Better yet, just read Decline and Fall by Waugh.

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          Certainly looks interesting. I'll check it out. Thank you

  4. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    >Where to Start with Martin Amis
    Try reading his first book.

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      This

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      This

      Does it hold up? He doesn't like it, but few authors rate their first efforts.

  5. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    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.

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      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.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        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.

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