Kingsley Amis

Kingsley Amis was an English novelist, poet, critic, and teacher. He wrote more than 20 novels, six volumes of poetry, a memoir, various short stories, radio and television scripts, along with works of social and literary criticism. He is best known for his first novel, 'Lucky Jim' (1954), which is considered a classic of British humorous literature. Amis was associated with the Angry Young Men movement of writers in the 1950s. He was knighted in 1990 for his services to literature.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Lucky Jim

    "Lucky Jim" is a comic novel that follows the life of Jim Dixon, a young and disillusioned lecturer at a provincial British university. Struggling with his job and his pretentious boss, Dixon navigates through a series of humorous and often absurd situations, including a disastrous public lecture and a chaotic weekend at his boss's house. The novel satirizes the snobbishness and hypocrisy of the academic world, and explores themes of class, ambition, and the struggle to find personal authenticity in a conformist society.

  2. 2. The Old Devils

    The novel focuses on a group of aging friends in Wales who have spent their lives drinking, gossiping, and backstabbing. When an old acquaintance, a successful writer, returns to town with his younger wife, the group's dynamics are thrown into chaos. The story delves into themes of aging, nostalgia, and the complexities of long-term friendships, all with a heavy dose of dark humor.

  3. 3. The Green Man

    "The Green Man" is a chilling and darkly humorous novel that follows the life of Maurice Allington, a middle-aged innkeeper who becomes haunted by a malevolent spirit. As Maurice's life unravels, he must confront his own demons and face the consequences of his actions. Blending elements of horror, comedy, and psychological suspense, this gripping tale explores themes of guilt, mortality, and the supernatural, leaving readers questioning the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

  4. 4. The Alteration

    Set in an alternate history where the Reformation never occurred, the book explores a world dominated by a powerful Catholic Church. The story follows a young choirboy with a beautiful singing voice who is slated to undergo castration to preserve his vocal purity for the Church. As he becomes aware of the implications of this "alteration," he is torn between his duty to the religious institution and the desire for a normal life. The narrative delves into themes of personal freedom, destiny, and the far-reaching influence of an unchallenged theocracy on art, science, and individual rights.