742. Money: A Suicide Note

Money: A Suicide Note
Martin Amis
1984
Around 400 pages

Martin Amis made his debut on the List with a novel titled Dead Babies. So he is obviously intent on making a splash, and proving that he is not his father, dammit. 

The novel is based on Amis's experience as a screenwriter on the movie Saturn 3, starring Kirk Douglas. I have never heard of this movie, and apparently it bombed, so good on Amis for turning that experience into something positive, if this can be called positive. John Self is a successful commercial director set to shoot his first film with producer Fielding Goodney. He must contend with the actors' egos, and threatening phone calls from Frank the Phone. 

Naming your alter-ego John Self? A lot of Martin Amis' work seems clunky to me. But it was interesting getting a "celebrity" novel and Amis provides a new perspective on America at the time. Punny names always take me out of it though.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Adapted for television by the BBC in 2010.

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