Martin Amis

losthorizon

I wonder what do people think of what Martin Amis said about the authors of Childrens Literature? I think hes totally missing the point. Some of the most intelligent, clever and witty books are childrens fiction. Also they introduce kids to the wider world of adult fiction.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/amis-irsquod-write-for-children-only-if-id-had-a-brain-injury-2212493.html

clouds

He's up himself, isn't he.

If he knew anything about the best sort of children's literature he'd know it deals with the same themes as adult fiction, with a couple of minor exceptions. That's the whole world of humanity, Amis, just without graphic descriptions of quivering cocks and mauled intestines. Do the lack of them put intolerable strains on his creative freedom? If so he's not half a creative or free as he believes himself to be.

Does anyone read him anymore? I know I haven't, maybe that's just me.

Hrududu

"I say, 'If I had a serious brain injury I might well write a children's book', but otherwise the idea of being conscious of who you're directing the story to is anathema to me, because, in my view, fiction is freedom and any restraints on that are intolerable."

It doesn't sound like he is slagging children's literature. It sounds like he doesn't want to write it because it would be writing with a specific audience in mind, which would be limiting to him.

Denerick

There is a tendancy amongst modern novelists to show the human condition, warts and all. This usually means cringe inducing sex scenes from novelists who should just know better.

alaimacerc

clouds wrote: »

He's up himself, isn't he.

I've just (just about!) made it through "Martin Amis' England", and have to say "yes, in spades".

Quite apart from all the other nonsense, the speed and lack of self-consciousness which he interchanges "England" and "Britain" thrice per sentence would make the most geographically-challenged (or indeed denialist) Provo blush.