Like fundamentalist Judaism and medieval Christianity, Islam is totalist. That is to say, it makes a total claim on the individual. Martin Amis christianityclaimfundamentalist Change image and share on social
Very broadly, literature concerns itself with the internal, cinema with the external. Martin Amis broadlycinemaconcern Change image and share on social
If every inhabitant of a liberal democracy believes in liberal democracy, then it doesn't matter what creed or colour they are. Martin Amis believecolourcreed Change image and share on social
Kingsley Amis was a lenient father. His paternal style, in the early years, can best be described as amiably minimalist - in other words, my mother did it all. Martin Amis amiablyamisearly Change image and share on social
It's an ancient idea that the leader of a democracy should not be the cleverest but the most average. That's an arguable point, but the world has decided otherwise - except in America, where it still divides the country right down the middle. Martin Amis americaancientarguable share on social
I am, incidentally, the only writer to have received the Somerset Maugham award twice - the first time for my first novel, the second time for my second first novel. Martin Amis awardincidentallymaugham Change image and share on social
All my adult life I have been searching for the right adjective to describe my father's peculiarly aggressive comic style. I recently settled on 'defamatory.' Martin Amis adjectiveadultaggressive Change image and share on social
When I wrote 'The Pregnant Widow' three or four years ago, I tried to reread my first novel, 'The Rachel Papers,' because their young heroes are the same age. I couldn't finish it. It seemed to me so technically slapdash and weak. Martin Amis ageagofinish share on social
Everything seems fine until you're about 40. Then something is definitely beginning to go wrong. And you look in the mirror with your old habit of thinking, 'While I accept that everyone grows old and dies, it's a funny thing, but I'm an exception to that rule.' Martin Amis acceptbeginexception share on social
In America, the policeman is a working-class hero. In England, the policeman is a working-class traitor. Martin Amis americaclassengland Change image and share on social
