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[wwidsith]

Martin Amis, London Fields

London Fields is a book with a plot so pointless it made me angry, and a cast of blatant stereotypes. It's distinguished by some flourishes of wonderful writing, and the presence of one character who is one of the most brilliant creations of modern British fiction.

Initially, there is plenty to like. The narrator - a

Comments

[modlin]

Yes. I couldn't even finish this book because I was so annoyed at how Nicola was portrayed.

[wwidsith]

I felt like that. I kept going because I loved the Keith bits so much.

[bluescissors76]

I read this book in college, so it was interesting to read your take on it. It's been a long time since I thought about at all, but I went through a period where I thought about it a lot. I think I liked it, but I remember that it kind of fucked up my own style of writing a little bit because I felt like I too needed to apply the everything but the kitchen sink narrative to my own work. I saw Nicola as more of an archetype than an actual person, so her character didn't bother me too much, but in retrospect maybe it should have.

[wwidsith]

Yeah maybe, but I think you have to make even an archetype somewhat believable if you're putting them into a real-world setting.

[wwidsith]

Henry Miller's view of women is cruder and more out in the open, but I find that much less offensive than this sort of subtle fictionalised version. Plus I guess you have to allow for the fact that Miller is from a completely different generation. I'm afraid I haven't read any of the other writers you mention

uh, wow.

[yellowcrayons]

Reading these passages out of context makes them that much more awkward.

Re: uh, wow.

[wwidsith]

Well, yeah. Not unfairly so though, I hope

Re: uh, wow.

[yellowcrayons]

Nah. I think they're kinda hilarious really. :)

[mippy]

Is this your first Amis? Because let me tell you, The Rachel Papers made me wonder why Charles Highway just didn't turn gay if he found women quite so unappealing.

[wwidsith]

Oh really? Yeah it is. Damn, I was kind of hoping Rachel Papers would be younger and funnier and less jaded.

[mippy]

Christ no. If I'd read it at fifteen I'd be in a nunnery by now.

[angelds525]

Oh no! I've been really wanting to read Time's Arrow-- how's that one?