Martin Amis, an English novelist, essayist, and short story writer, masterfully explores the absurdity of the postmodern condition, presenting its grotesque caricatures with striking clarity. His distinctive style is marked by a compulsive vividness, a testament to his profound command of the English language that immediately announces his unique voice. Often perceived as a chronicler of contemporary life, Amis has been recognized for his unflinching portrayal of what has been termed 'the new unpleasantness'. His writing offers a sharp, often unsettling, yet always compelling examination of modern existence.
Amidst the horrors of Auschwitz, German officer, Angelus Thomsen, has found love. But unfortunately for Thomsen, the object of his affection is already married to his camp commandant, Paul Doll. As Thomsen and Doll's wife pursue their passion - the gears of Nazi Germany's Final Solution grinding around them - Doll is riven by suspicion. With his dignity in disrepute and his reputation on the line, Doll must take matters into his own hands and bring order back to the chaos that reigns around him.
The book features a fresh introduction by Claire Lowdon, providing contemporary insights and context. It explores themes that resonate with today's readers, enhancing the understanding of the original work. The introduction sets the stage for a deeper appreciation of the narrative and its characters, making it accessible for both new and returning audiences.
This extraordinary novel gives the reader the heart-to-heart testimony of one of our finest writers - a wonder of literary invention and a boisterous modern classic His most intimate and epic work to date, Inside Story is the unseen portrait of Martin Amis' extraordinary life, as a man and a writer. This novel had its birth in a death - that of the author's closest friend, Christopher Hitchens. We also encounter the vibrant characters who have helped define Martin Amis, from his father Kingsley, to his hero Saul Bellow, from Philip Larkin to Iris Murdoch and Elizabeth Jane Howard, and to the person who captivated his twenties, the alluringly amoral Phoebe Phelps. What begins as a thrilling tale of romantic entanglements, family and friendship, evolves into a tender, witty exploration of the hardest questions- how to live, how to grieve, and how to die? In his search for answers, Amis surveys the great horrors of the twentieth century, and the still unfolding impact of the 9/11 attacks on the twenty-first - and what all this has taught him about how to be a writer. The result is one of Amis' greatest achievements- a love letter to life that is at once exuberant, meditative, heartbreaking and ebullient, to be savoured and cherished for many years to come.
Exploring a diverse array of subjects, this collection showcases Martin Amis's sharp insights and distinctive prose over two decades. He reflects on aging and its impact on his athleticism, revisits literary giants Bellow and Nabokov, and offers a critical examination of Donald Trump during pivotal moments in the 2016 election cycle. Amis's keen observations reveal both personal and cultural critiques, making this anthology a compelling blend of memoir and commentary.
The Rub of Time is Amis at his considered best, witty, erudite and unafraid...
He is sweetly sentimental when it comes to the British royal family (why?),
funny about tennis, always brilliant about the body, scorching in his refusal
of death, its sorrows and humiliations... He is a great believer in semantic
rigour; every sentence snaps with an accuracy that is fresh and fierce... This
collection is full of treasures. Anne Enright Guardian
Shortlisted for the 2015 Walter Scott Prize 'Surely his masterpieceâe¦ Intelligent, terrifying and comicâe¦ Amis has tackled the biggest questions with imagination and intelligence, and the ultimate strength of this masterly novel is that he knows, and shows, that although there is no answer to the questions Auschwitz poses, we must never stop asking them. Read it, ponder it âe" revel in it indeed âe" then read it again.' Allan Massie, Scotsman There was an old story about a king who asked his favourite wizard to create a magic mirror. This mirror didnâe(tm)t show you your reflection. Instead, it showed you your soul âe" it showed you who you really were. But the king couldnâe(tm)t look into the mirror without turning away, and nor could his courtiers. No one could. What happens when we discover who we really are? And how do we come to terms with it? Fearless and original, The Zone of Interest is a violently dark love story set against a backdrop of unadulterated evil, and a vivid journey into the depths and contradictions of the human soul.
"The Zone of Interest" explores the theme of self-discovery through a king's magic mirror that reveals one's true soul. Despite its power, neither the king nor his courtiers can face their reflections. This dark love story delves into the complexities of human nature amidst a backdrop of profound evil.
Lionel Asbo - a very violent but not very successful young criminal - is going about his morning duties in a London prison when he learns that he has just won �139,999,999.50 on the National Lottery. This is not necessarily good news for his ward and nephew, the orphaned Des Pepperdine, who still has reason to fear his uncle's implacable vengeance. Savage, funny, and mysteriously poignant, Lionel Asbo is a modern fairytale from one of the world's great writers.
