Memoirs by Kingsley Amis

Published by Hutchinson, 1991, hardcover,   illustrated, index, 346 pages, condition: new.

Memoirs (1991) by Kingsley Amis offers a candid and witty glimpse into the life of one of Britain's most celebrated literary figures. Amis, known for his sharp humor and keen observations, brings readers along on a journey through his personal and professional experiences. Amis' narrative style is both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering insights into the world of literature, academia, and British society during his lifetime. Anyone interested in a lively and insightful journey through the life of a literary icon. His memoirs not only entertain but also provide a deeper understanding of the man behind the words. He lays out the framework of the book by saying, "To publish an account of my own intimate, domestic, sexual experiences would hurt a number of people who have emotional claims on me...and I have no desire to cause pain, or further pain, to them or myself. He gets off to a great start, describing his father, who manufactures "unbreakable" glassware (if dropped on something besides a carpet, a plate or glass exploded like a hand grenade), and his paternal grandmother: "Mater was a large dreadful hairy-faced creature who lived to be nearly ninety and whom I loathed and feared...." Others he limns include Francis Bacon, Anthony Powell, Anthony Burgess, Roald Dahl, Malcolm Muggeridge, Margaret Thatcher, actor Terry-Thomas (a brilliant Bertrand in the film version of Lucky Jim, Amis's most famed novel), Lord Snowdon, Arnold Wesker, and many others. This results in an entertaining and informative read.