Time's Arrow: This is a terrific book.
09-22-03, 02:21 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Time's Arrow: This is a terrific book.
I've just finished reading a book called Times Arrow. It's by a guy called Martin Amis. One of the best books I've read in a little while.
It's the memoirs of a man living his life in reverse. The book goes quite detailed into the normal day to day functions but from a reverse point of view:
"Various food items get gulped up into my mouth,
and after skilful massage with tongue and teeth I
transfer them to the plate for additional sculpture
with knife and fork and spoon.... Next you face the
laborious business of cooling, of reassembling, or
storage, before the return of these foodstuffs to the
Superette, where, admittedly, I am promptly and
generously reimbursed for my pains.
With the interest people on this board had with films like Mememro and Irreversibly, I thought you might have interest in a book with a similar structure. While not overly funny, the story has a perfect unfolding of events like a perfectly weaven joke.
I'd reccomand picking this up if you get the chance.
It's the memoirs of a man living his life in reverse. The book goes quite detailed into the normal day to day functions but from a reverse point of view:
"Various food items get gulped up into my mouth,
and after skilful massage with tongue and teeth I
transfer them to the plate for additional sculpture
with knife and fork and spoon.... Next you face the
laborious business of cooling, of reassembling, or
storage, before the return of these foodstuffs to the
Superette, where, admittedly, I am promptly and
generously reimbursed for my pains.
With the interest people on this board had with films like Mememro and Irreversibly, I thought you might have interest in a book with a similar structure. While not overly funny, the story has a perfect unfolding of events like a perfectly weaven joke.
I'd reccomand picking this up if you get the chance.
09-23-03, 11:56 AM
#4
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I've read it. It's not a very long book and would probably be a quick read for most. I did have more trouble finishing it than I expected. I found myself really having to pay attention to detail since things functioned in reverse.
It's actually narrated from this guys conscious (or is it conscience?) which has no comprehension that it is seeing things in reverse. So to it there are 5 gears for driving backwards (at various speeds) and only one gear for going forward in car. That's what aids in adding some humor to the story. I found the children/toys portion the funniest.
It's actually narrated from this guys conscious (or is it conscience?) which has no comprehension that it is seeing things in reverse. So to it there are 5 gears for driving backwards (at various speeds) and only one gear for going forward in car. That's what aids in adding some humor to the story. I found the children/toys portion the funniest.
09-26-03, 09:35 PM
#5
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Read this years ago and it's brilliant. It's not difficult at all to read and really makes you wonder about all the little things we do day to day without thinking.
Amis's best, I think, is London Fields. If you want another short quick Amis, go for Einstein's Monsters. I just find it strange that he's referred to as some guy called Martin Amis. The man is one of the formost British writers of the last 30 years.
Amis's best, I think, is London Fields. If you want another short quick Amis, go for Einstein's Monsters. I just find it strange that he's referred to as some guy called Martin Amis. The man is one of the formost British writers of the last 30 years.
09-27-03, 04:56 AM
#6
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Originally posted by RevLiver
I just find it strange that he's referred to as some guy called Martin Amis. The man is one of the formost British writers of the last 30 years.
I just find it strange that he's referred to as some guy called Martin Amis. The man is one of the formost British writers of the last 30 years.
I see that I chose my words poorly in refering to the author as 'some guy'. I mearly wanted to give the author's name, as often people will recommand me a book by title alone, and it is difficult to track it down without the name of the author. I was in too casual a mood, and referred to Amis as 'some guy'.Oh and by the way, did you hear that the dude who said 'And a hotplate!' on The Simpsons just died!
