Einstein's Monsters

Einstein’s Monsters  by Martin Amis

1990

Weight: 4.8 oz

Method of Disposal: Left at the MOJOs in Oakhurst GA

It was time to pick up a Martin Amis book again.  I was so surprised by how much I liked Night Train.  I had to see if any of the other books I had on my shelves were worth a damn.  The title got me too.  Martin Amis does have some great fucking titles.  I guess that is how I ended up with so many of his books in the first place. 

I read the preface and was impressed right away.  It is about living in a world with nuclear weapons.   To show how impossible the situation we have created is he writes:

                                What is the only provocation that could bring about the use of nuclear weapons?  Nuclear weapons.  What is the priority target for nuclear weapons?  Nuclear weapons.  What is the only established defense against nuclear weapons?  Nuclear weapons.  How do we prevent the use of nuclear weapons?  By threatening to use nuclear weapons.  And we can’t get rid of nuclear weapons, because of nuclear weapons.  The intransigence, it seems, is a function of the weapons themselves.

And to represent how ridiculous the world leaders are in dealing with this issue:

                                At the multiracial children’s tea party the guests have, perhaps, behaved slightly better since the Keepers were introduced.  Little Ivan has stopped pulling Fetnab’s hair, though he is still kicking her leg under the table.  Bobby has returned the slice of cake that rightfully belonged to tiny Conchita, though he has his eye on that sandwich and will probably make a lunge for it sooner or later.  Out on the lawn the Keepers maintain a kind of order, but standards of behavior are pretty well as troglodytic as they ever were.

Oh.  Nevermind.  You would have to read it.  The only problem with this book is that the preface is so good and the stories really are not.  I was not impressed by them at all. 

Night Train

Night Train  by Martin Amis

1999

Weight:  6 oz

Method of Disposal: Gave to Tracy who will probably read and then donate

I was caught quite off guard with Night Train.  I was under the impression that I did not particularly enjoy Martin Amis.  When I pulled it off my shelves I noticed that it looked short and easy to read, which was what I was in the mood for.  I was turned off by the author and by the synopsis that put it forth as a mystery novel.  I still took it to bed with me.  The voice of the main character in the first couple pages irritated me, and I just knew this would not be a favorite.

How many ways was I wrong?  I think I have an irresponsible and potentially inaccurate view of Martin Amis, and intend to read his other novels, many of which I already own.   I thought he did a great job with Night Train.  It can be categorized as a detective novel, without being a pop mystery book.  I see that now.  I had some prejudgments.  I admit it.  I really enjoyed this book.  I could not wait to read it and viewed other, non-reading, moments of my life with disdain.

That being said, I do think the book had so much more potential.  I am not sure exactly what it was missing, but I think it was in the character and her voice.  I liked Detective Mike Hoolihan, but I am not sure I was ever convinced of her existence.   There is too much umph.  Too many stereotypes for one person, maybe?  There were necessary details that were never explained or used in any real way.  It was like they belonged, but they had not found their place.

Spoiler:

This book explores the suicide of a beautiful young woman with a seemingly perfect life.  The narrator tells her own story while describing the lead up to the death of the beautiful woman (her acquaintance) Jennifer Rockwell.  The book itself becomes a suicide letter from the narrator, Mike Hoolihan.  The reader is given clues all along, but like in real life, misses most of them, ignores them, or does not realize the full potential of them.  While we focus on Jennifer, her boyfriend, and her family we let Mike lead us through her own demise without us realizing it.  We know Mike is lonely, a recovered alcoholic with a dying liver, and bitter from her time working as a Police.  It is not shocking that she decides to end her life, but it is not what you thought the focus of the book was either.  

I really cannot fully explain what about this book grabbed me and would not let go, but I can say that I was in it the whole time.  I felt sadness, fogginess come over me at the end.  I was surprised by my reaction.  It was unexpected and so wonderfully welcomed.  I now say goodbye to the Night Train.  I bought it for 93 cents many years ago and never thought much about it.  Now, I will not soon forget it, and I have some Amis to catch up on.