Yellow Dog

More about the book

Martin Amis's provocative new novel, praised in the British press for its sharp wit and comic extravagance, follows Xan Meo, who, after a brutal attack in a London pub, suffers severe head trauma that alters his personality. His family is left grappling with a stranger—unpredictable, violent, and vengeful—who embodies the chaos of contemporary life: "His condition felt like the twenty-first century: it was something you wanted to wake up from." Xan's new persona resonates with the dark, scandalous London portrayed through the eyes of tabloid journalist Clint Smoker, who thrives on sensationalism and deceit. This world is rife with shocking secrets, including a King of England entangled in scandal and a society where brilliant individuals commit heinous acts, and safety is an illusion. Amis's narrative is a fierce exploration of enduring themes: the complexities of patriarchy and masculinity, the violence between men, the fraught dynamics between genders, and the disillusionment surrounding our ability to safeguard the future. With its blend of humor, grit, and insight, the novel challenges readers to confront the unsettling realities of modern existence.