British writer Martin Amis dies aged 73
M
artin Amis, whose novels Money and London Fields made him one of the famend literary figures of his technology, had died aged 73.
The British writer revealed 14 novels, a memoir, two collections of tales and eight collections of non-fiction works over his lifetime.
In a press release to the PA news company, Vintage Books mentioned: “We are devastated at the death of our author and friend, Martin Amis: novelist, essayist, memoirist, critic, stylist supreme.
“It has been a profound privilege and pleasure to be his publisher; first as Jonathan Cape in 1973, with his explosive debut, The Rachel Papers; then as part of Penguin Random House and Vintage, up to and including his most recent book, 2020’s Inside Story.”
He died from most cancers of the oesophagus at his house in Florida, his agent Andrew Wylie advised the AP news company.
Born in Oxford in 1949, he was the son of the late Booker Prize-winning author, Sir Kingsley Amis, who additionally died age 73 in 1995, and Hilary Ann Bardwell.
He was educated at faculties within the UK, Spain and the US earlier than later graduating from Exeter College at Oxford University the place he learn English.
In 1973, he revealed his first novel aged 24, The Rachel Papers, whereas working as an editorial assistant on the Times Literary Supplement.
He joined the New Statesman as their literary editor at age 27 and was appointed as a professor of inventive writing on the University of Manchester in 2007, earlier than stepping down in 2011.
In his work he explored present occasions and the up to date world in addition to key durations in historical past, notably the Holocaust, which he wrote about in novels similar to Time’s Arrow and The Zone Of Interest.
Time’s Arrow was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, whereas his 2003 novel Yellow Dog was additionally longlisted.
He was additionally awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his memoir Experience.
The official Twitter account of the Booker Prize described him as “one of the most acclaimed and discussed novelists of the past 50 years” following the news.
“We are saddened to hear that Martin Amis, one of the most acclaimed and discussed novelists of the past 50 years, has died”, they tweeted.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Amis’ UK editor, Michal Shavit, mentioned: “It’s hard to imagine a world without Martin Amis in it.
“He was the king – a stylist extraordinaire, super cool, a brilliantly witty, erudite and fearless writer, and a truly wonderful man.
“He has been so important and formative for so many readers and writers over the last half century. Every time he published a new book it was an event.
“He will be remembered as one of the greatest writers of his time and his books will stand the test of time alongside some of his favourite writers: Saul Bellow, John Updike, and Vladimir Nabokov.”
Fellow authors and well-known faces additionally paid tribute to Amis following the news, with broadcaster the Rev Richard Coles saying: “I don’t think there’s a better 80s novel than Money but I absolutely adored his essays.”
Novelist Jonathan Coe mentioned he met Amis on a number of events, recalling: “I was the younger writer, much less well-known.
“He was very kind, very generous, and brilliant company. Now gone much too soon. RIP.”
Professor Brian Cox additionally paid tribute by resharing a paragraph of Amis’ writing, whereas crime author Ian Rankin revealed that his favorite e book by the late writer was Money.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he was “shocked and sad” to listen to of Amis’s demise, describing him as “the greatest, darkest, funniest satirist since Evelyn Waugh”.
“If you want cheering up, re-read the tennis match in Money. RIP”, he added.
Amis is survived by his spouse, author Isabel Fonseca, and his kids Louis, Jacob, Fernanda, Clio and Delilah.