It's taken me a while to write this post. I finished this book about a fortnight ago and even now I'm unsure what I make of it.
Near the end it drew me in, but throughout the reading of it I struggled against it. At times, frankly, it bored me.
I didn't like the use of language. Nothing happened, plot-wise, for most of the book. And most of the characters seemed shallow and underdeveloped.
I felt sorry for many of the characters, each being subtly abused. Mostly I felt sorry for Sam, who thinks he has it all worked out, but he really doesn't.
I'd have liked for more to have happened. To have felt some movement. If the book had been a quarter of the length it was I feel it would have done a much better job of telling the story it had to tell. In and of itself the story was good.
I just didn't like the way it was told. Personal preference I guess.
Rowen
Clarissa's Review
I will admit I struggle with Martin Amis as a writer, I do not like his approach to books as he often appears as a misogynist. Often he writes crude and crushing things about women, "If you're going to be violent stick to women. Stick to the weak."
That came within the first 10 pages and its set me up to think I just need to get through this book.
The concept is quite a good idea, an author with decades of writers block trying to find a story. However the length he goes to get this story is supposed to create "black humour". I didn't find the book funny at any lengths, it was disturbing.
The books opening page was ominous, "I know the murder I know the murderee. I know the time, I know the place."
I will compliment Amis on his ability to create suspense, it doesn't make you comfortable. One of the methods he uses is telling the story through unreliable narrators, four narrators, helping the author tell the story.
None of the characters have redeeming characteristics, they all use each other. Keith Talent, the thief or cheat, Nicola Six, the motive, Guy Clinch, the weak one and the author Samson Young who is terminally ill but will do anything to get his break.
Throughout the book what the characters do will make you raise your eyebrows. Yet the ending s probably the best bit without sounding to callous.
After Miss Pettigrew most books were going to fall short. But one thing I can say is that Martin Amis is a successful writer however he is one I don't enjoy.
Rowen's Review
