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georgeb0128's review against another edition
5.0
The prose is fizzy and alive; one feels one’s vocabulary being stretched and then tightened just by virtue of reading it. It invites you to read, and to write, in new ways - all the while touring the literary world of the 20th Century (including ample gossip). He writes so lovingly of his friends and heroes, it is hard not to feel inspired by the whole endeavour.
sarrra93's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Here's the thing. This book is so many things that it would be easy to be disappointed if you went in thinking that it was going to be a simple, straightforward novelization of Amis' life. There is some of that, surely, but there's much more. One of the more interesting characteristics of the book is Amis' use of the Phoebe Phelps character (an amalgam of different girlfriends) as a through line. She's there, lingering, in the back of all the political talk, historical talk, writing advice, the examination of all the important friendships and mentorships in his life, through all the backstory.
I learned so much from this book, had to employ my dictionary, was made curious about the people and books he talked about, wanted more, even as I literally could not exactly figure out what he was trying to do with the format.
Recommended for the literarily curious and those who don't mind being challenged a little by form.
I learned so much from this book, had to employ my dictionary, was made curious about the people and books he talked about, wanted more, even as I literally could not exactly figure out what he was trying to do with the format.
Recommended for the literarily curious and those who don't mind being challenged a little by form.
tarttist's review against another edition
4.0
Las circunstancias hicieron que tardara mucho tiempo en leer este libro. Pero estuvo bien que fuera así.
Amis lo describe como una novela de no-ficción. Para mí es una autobiografía cruzada por tres hombres: su mejor amigo, Christopher Hitchens; su mentor, Saul Bellow; y una especie de padre putativo, distante y rechazado: el poeta Philip Larkin.
Con un tono entre resignado y nostálgico, y una prosa muy colorida, más que repasar su propia vida repone las formas en que aquellos tres hombres se la transformaron. Una novela a la que la asola la vejez, la nostalgia del amor y la muerte. Se siente un poco como una despedida
Amis lo describe como una novela de no-ficción. Para mí es una autobiografía cruzada por tres hombres: su mejor amigo, Christopher Hitchens; su mentor, Saul Bellow; y una especie de padre putativo, distante y rechazado: el poeta Philip Larkin.
Con un tono entre resignado y nostálgico, y una prosa muy colorida, más que repasar su propia vida repone las formas en que aquellos tres hombres se la transformaron. Una novela a la que la asola la vejez, la nostalgia del amor y la muerte. Se siente un poco como una despedida
binge's review against another edition
5.0
A book for book geeks, and particularly Martin Amis fans (if that was ever in doubt). The prose is fantastic from beginning to end, there's a seamlessness to the stories being told despite the time jumps, changes in style and person that make it a rich, diverse tapestry of experiences and thoughts.
An absolute masterclass in biography free from the shackles of non-fiction. Loved it.
An absolute masterclass in biography free from the shackles of non-fiction. Loved it.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Here's the thing. This book is so many things that it would be easy to be disappointed if you went in thinking that it was going to be a simple, straightforward novelization of Amis' life. There is some of that, surely, but there's much more. One of the more interesting characteristics of the book is Amis' use of the Phoebe Phelps character (an amalgam of different girlfriends) as a through line. She's there, lingering, in the back of all the political talk, historical talk, writing advice, the examination of all the important friendships and mentorships in his life, through all the backstory.
I learned so much from this book, had to employ my dictionary, was made curious about the people and books he talked about, wanted more, even as I literally could not exactly figure out what he was trying to do with the format.
Recommended for the literarily curious and those who don't mind being challenged a little by form.
I learned so much from this book, had to employ my dictionary, was made curious about the people and books he talked about, wanted more, even as I literally could not exactly figure out what he was trying to do with the format.
Recommended for the literarily curious and those who don't mind being challenged a little by form.
tales_from_absurdia's review against another edition
3.0
Inside Story, Martin Amis’s latest autobiographical novel*, is brilliant at times.
It’s well written and a sombre ennui pervades his entries on late father-figure Saul Bellow and now-departed best friend Christopher Hitchens. I particularly enjoyed the 'how to write' sections. They somewhat reminded me of George Orwell's Politics and the English Language (a massive plus in my view) in terms of the precision of the analysis of language.
Other times, the novel* falters with frustratingly smug and self-indulgent meanderings.
Such is the nature of autofiction, I suppose.
*It's not really a novel, despite Amis's insistence. It's a memoir with details filled in, and a few (very interesting!) meandering thoughts on certain topics.
Read the full review on talesfromabsurdia.com
It’s well written and a sombre ennui pervades his entries on late father-figure Saul Bellow and now-departed best friend Christopher Hitchens. I particularly enjoyed the 'how to write' sections. They somewhat reminded me of George Orwell's Politics and the English Language (a massive plus in my view) in terms of the precision of the analysis of language.
Other times, the novel* falters with frustratingly smug and self-indulgent meanderings.
Such is the nature of autofiction, I suppose.
*It's not really a novel, despite Amis's insistence. It's a memoir with details filled in, and a few (very interesting!) meandering thoughts on certain topics.
Read the full review on talesfromabsurdia.com
esterlegaz's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5