The Touch of Time by Martin Amis

The touch of time
by Martin Amis.

The Friction of Time is a book of essays by the British writer Martin Amis, published in 2019 by the Anagrama publishing house. In it, the author offers his personal and critical vision on various topics in culture, politics, sports and literature, from the porn industry to Trump’s presidential race, passing through writers such as Nabokov, Bellow or Hitchens. .

The book is divided into six parts: “The Porn Industry”, “Las Vegas”, “Travolta and Tarantino”, “Writers”, “Politics and Society” and “Autobiography”. Each of them contains several texts that mix journalism and literature, with an agile, ironic and provocative style. Amis demonstrates her talent for portraying characters, places and situations with a shrewd eye and sharp prose.

The Touch of Time is a book that invites you to reflect on the contemporary world and its contradictions, through the voice of one of the most relevant writers of recent decades. A feast of stimulating texts that will not leave any reader indifferent.

“The Touch of Time” is a collection of essays by renowned British writer Martin Amis, in which he addresses a wide variety of topics, from politics and literature to everyday life and personal experiences. Throughout its pages, Amis demonstrates his ability to analyze and reflect on the world around him, offering the reader a unique and insightful vision of contemporary society.

The book is made up of a series of essays written over two decades, allowing the reader to appreciate the evolution of Amis’s thinking and his growth as a writer. The essays are organized into four thematic sections: “Politics and Society”, “Literature”, “Life and Art” and “Friendships and Meetings”. This structure makes reading easier and allows the reader to immerse themselves in the topics that interest them most.

In the first section, “Politics and Society,” Amis addresses topics such as terrorism, war, and international politics, offering sharp and thought-provoking analysis. His views on these topics are often controversial, but they are always backed by sound arguments and a deep understanding of history and politics.

The second section, “Literature,” is perhaps closest to Amis’ heart, as it reflects on the work of writers such as Vladimir Nabokov, Philip Roth, and JG Ballard, among others. His literary essays are a delight for reading lovers, as they offer a unique vision of the work of these authors and the influence they have had on contemporary literature.

In “Life and Art,” the third section of the book, Amis explores more personal themes, such as fatherhood, aging, and death. These essays are often moving and revealing, as the author is not afraid to expose his own experiences and emotions. Through these pages, the reader has the opportunity to get to know Amis beyond his role as a writer and critic.

The final section, “Friendships and Encounters,” is dedicated to people who have left an imprint on Amis’s life, such as his father, the writer Kingsley Amis, and his friends and colleagues Christopher Hitchens and Salman Rushdie. These essays offer an intimate and moving portrait of these personalities and their relationship with the author.

“The Touch of Time” is a work that demonstrates the versatility and talent of Martin Amis as a writer and thinker. His essays are sharp, provocative and often moving, offering the reader a unique insight into contemporary society and the author’s life. This book is a must-read for literature lovers and those seeking to delve into the world of one of the most important writers of our time.