London Fields by Martin Amis
The story unfolds through the eyes of Samson Young, an American writer in search of a plotline for his new novel. After meeting Keith at Heathrow Airport on his arrival in London, he befriends the other characters and starts to use their real-life story as a plot for a murder mystery.
The plot twists and turns as Nicola plays sexual mind-games with each of her two admirers, while confiding in Sam so he has material for his book. With Keith, she plays the worldly sex-siren who can give him anything he has ever dreamed of. With Guy, she is the shy virgin who has fallen head-over-heals in love with him. All of this is designed to lead to her inevitable murder by Keith, with Guy as the fall-guy.
At 470 pages, London Fields is a monster of a book, but Amis’ talent at writing hilarious conversational pieces between the characters and entertaining events makes it very readable. However, I did feel a little let down by the finale, expecting there to be more meaning and sense of purpose after the build up. Still, I did enjoy it very much and would recommend it to others.
Buy London Fields from Amazon.co.uk
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
The story centers on James (Jim) Dixon, a lecturer in medieval history at an English university. He doesn’t particularly enjoy his job, nor is he good at it and his working class ways don’t fit in very well with the other, more upper-middle class staff at the university. The comedy centres on the relationship between Jim and his girlfriend Margaret Peel and the young girlfriend of his superior’s daughter, Catherine Callaghan. Jim falls for Christine the first time he meets her, and has a similar contempt for her boyfriend that he has for most of the other characters in the novel.
The story follows his mishaps at work and in love as he attempts to fend of his current girlfriend and woo the younger more attractive Catherine.
I thought Lucky Jim was OK, but wouldn’t share the praise some of the critics had for it. Perhaps if I’d read it in the 1950s I may have had a different experience, but I certainly didn’t think it was “laugh out loud funny” or a “comic masterpiece” as I had read elsewhere. It was however an enjoyable, easy read.
Money by Martin Amis
Set in the Eighties when Reagan was still president of the USA and Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister in the UK, a time when money and greed were the fashion, Money is a great satire of the consumerist culture of this period. John Self is a director of TV commercials, attempting to get his first film produced. Self is self-confessed loser who is an out of shape, alcoholic womaniser. throughout the novel, he ends up in some hilarious situations, usually due to his excessive alcohol consumption, as he jets backwards and forwards between New York and his home in London. The sub title of the novel is “A Suicide Note”, the reason for which becomes clear as we follow Self through his high-rolling lifestyle to his inevitable downfall.
I really enjoyed the book, particularly the character of Self. Although politically incorrect at times, his adventures are sometimes cringe-worthy, but often laugh-out-loud funny. Amis really brings the characters to life as he describes Self’s chaotic pursuit for fame and fortune. When writing Money, he drew on his real-life experiences writing the screenplay to Saturn 3. This shows in his believable send-up off the film industry through characters such as Fielding Goodney, the producer for Self’s first movie.
If you’re easily shocked or offended, perhaps this isn’t the book for you. Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next of Martin Amis’ books in the 1000 books everyone must read list.
Buy Money: A Suicide Note at Amazon.co.uk
