'The Information' by Martin Amis

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the publication of ‘The Information’, Martin Amis’s eighth novel, and the third in his so-called ‘London Trilogy’. He reportedly received a £500,000 advance for this one which concerns the rivalry between two writers of fiction. One writes shallow, vaguely sci-fi stuff and his hugely successful, while the other, preferring depth and to challenge his readers, is conspicuously unsuccessful. It is the latter character, Richard Tull, from whose perspective the story is told, at least until the final section when the perspective shifts.

As always with Martin Amis the prose is just fantastic. It sparkles and dazzles for the best part of 500 pages, making this a terrifically impressive novel.

The problem is that the characters are all horrible people - Tull in particular who is completely vile. As a reader you have no sympathy with him whatsoever. The novel’s atmosphere is unrelentingly cynical and pessimistic. It is also very very male-oriented. Women really only ever serve as objects of sexual curiosity or gratification. Amis is also, of course, a terrific intellectual snob and that value system infuses this book in a manner which becomes increasingly irritating as it proceeds. He is satirising literary London, but also sadly rather showing off in the process.

But but but but…, this book is absolutely worth reading. It is very funny at times and also interesting, especially the section set on a book promotion tour around America. It lacks charm, but is hugely entertaining. Some passages are so extraordinarily well-written that they provide the deepest, sweetest satisfaction for the reader irrespective of plot or character. Towards the end he has his two main characters fly through a storm on a tiny six-seater bi-plane. It is just brilliantly done, blending high and low comedy and all conveyed in sparkling, dancing prose.

And so ‘The Information’ remains in print thirty years on and Martin Amis can certainly be said to have earned is £500,000 advance.