London Fields

Here’s a book that you just have to take a view on – and one which I found imperative that I finish if only not to be beaten by it. There is a crossroads in latter half of the twentieth century gloomy old London where Kingsley Amis, Anthony Burgess, Will Self and Martin Amis meet – it’s a place that you shouldn’t wander into if you are looking for life affirmation, the feel good factor or a message. The medium is the message here – grotesque characters in grotty situations and plenty of evidence of the basis for the Booker panel’s disquiet. Only in the very late stages are there any flutterings of an authorial voice with anything of substance to say. Darts and TV – I mean, honestly? Thank heavens for post-colonial voices in contemporary literature.

Stephen, Rowlands Gill,, United Kingdom

26/05/2009

The story is a "must" for fans of urban fiction, but may not be to everybody's taste. Check out reviews for this book elsewhere and you'll find a mixed bag of opinions ranging from "best book ever" to "utter garbage". However, one thing I'm sure nobody would ever argue over is the quality of Steven Pacey's narration. His accents are truly outstanding. His acting is spot on, and his understanding of the author's nuance makes this story a sheer delight to listen to. I wasn't a huge fan of Pacey when he was in Blake's 7, but wow, he's come a long way. My next month's audiobooks will definately be titles he has read. Give it a try!

David, United Kingdom

02/10/2009

This is the third book I have read by Martin Amis, two of which have been audiobooks (the other was "Money" - also brilliant, with the same narrator - a plea to AUDIBLE to get it). In print, as it were, I find him to be a difficult author; I like to read quite quickly but it is simply impossible to do this without losing the essence. But with an audiobook, you have to go at the pace of the narrator, and so learn to appreciate the mind-boggling prose, the savagely funny humour, the variations in pace and tone, the torrent of ideas, and the complications of the characters. He really is an exceptional author, and this is a truly great book. Of course, you need a good narrator and Steven Pacey does an quite superb job. He clearly relishes the task - he seems to roll the prose round his mouth like a fine wine - and he brings the book to life quite brilliantly. His judgement of pace and colour is faultless; and he draws the characters brilliantly too. Strongly recommended, particularly if you are already familiar with and like the author's work.

Tom, West Wickham, United Kingdom

28/05/2009