Martin Amis is one of the most important and distinctive writers of the last thirty years and his work continues to provoke controversy and debate. From his first novel, The Rachel Papers (1973) to his more recent Lionel Asbo (2012) his fiction has engaged with the major movements in literary and critical theory over the last four decades. His experimental approach to the novel form, his creation of complex and memorable characters, and his acute awareness of the relationship between fiction and reality mark out the distinctive elements of Amis’ work. In addition, his often-controversial representations of class, gender and race make him an important and provocative figure for contemporary literary studies. This book provides a critical survey and evaluation of his major works, identifying his commitment to stylistic expression and experiment alongside the ways in which his novels have engaged with social, cultural and political issues.
