Books Update: Martin Amis’s ‘Inside Story’

Tom Bissell reviews Amis's autobiographical new novel.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story October 30, 2020 Richard A. Chance Dear Reader, Martin Amis has been a central literary figure on two continents for more than three decades, so it’s fitting that our review of his most recent book, the largely autobiographical novel “Inside Story,” takes a broader look at Amis’s work over the years, from “London Fields” to “Money” to “The Information” to his superb memoir, “Experience.” Our reviewer, Tom Bissell, whose latest book is “Apostle,” has previously written in our pages about Michael Pollan, David Foster Wallace and Elliot Ackerman, among others; he last wrote for us about Roger McNamee’s “Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe.” Amis too has been an occasional contributor to the Book Review, writing in recent years about Vladimir Nabokov’s letters to his wife, Saul Bellow’s collected nonfiction and the Bolshevik revolution. Elsewhere in this issue: new books by Laila Lalami, Pankaj Mishra, Nick Hornby and John O. Brennan. And a word on this week’s podcast: My colleague and podcast co-conspirator John Williams guest hosts this week’s episode, with a focus on music. He speaks with Peter Guralnick, author of “Looking to Get Lost,” and to Alex Ross, a music critic for The New Yorker and the author of “Wagnerism.” I’ll be back on the podcast next week. Please stay in touch and let us know what you think — whether it’s about this newsletter, our reviews, our podcast, our literary calendar, our Instagram or what you’re reading. We read and ponder all of it. I even write back, albeit belatedly. You can email me at books@nytimes.com. Pamela Paul Editor of The New York Times Book Review @PamelaPaulNYT Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Like this email? Sign-up here or forward it to your friends. Have a suggestion or two on how we can improve it? Let us know at newsletters@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. THE BOOK REVIEW PODCAST A Writing Career Among Trailblazing Music Stars Peter Guralnick talks about “Looking to Get Lost,” and Alex Ross discusses “Wagnerism.” FICTION fiction In Fiction, Martin Amis Summons His Literary Friends and Role Models “Inside Story,” a novel in a genre Amis calls “life-writing,” revisits the author’s relationships with Saul Bellow, Christopher Hitchens and others. By Tom Bissell otherworldly Dealmakers and Wanderers: New Science Fiction and Fantasy Recent releases include “The Midnight Bargain,” “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” and “Piranesi.” By Amal El-Mohtar fiction The Brexit Romance: Finding Love in Irreconcilable Times In “A Lover’s Discourse,” by Xiaolu Guo, and “Just Like You,” by Nick Hornby, characters couple up as Britain makes a break. By Marcel Theroux fiction In This Novel of Exile, Sulaiman Addonia Writes From Experience “Silence Is My Mother Tongue” witnesses a young brother and sister coming of age in a Sudanese refugee camp. By Jamil Jan Kochai Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NONFICTION nonfiction Beyond Nature vs. Nurture, What Makes Us Ourselves? In “Unique,” David J. Linden distinguishes those traits that are entirely genetic from the murkier category of qualities that are a combination of heredity and experience. By Robin Marantz Henig nonfiction Pankaj Mishra Challenges America’s Self-Deceptions Mishra’s “Bland Fanatics” argues that many of liberalism’s exalted ideas have collapsed. By Damon Linker nonfiction The Injustice Deep Within the Justice System Brittany K. Barnett’s “A Knock at Midnight” reveals the discriminatory nature of the nation’s drug laws. By Sierra Crane Murdoch nonfiction Inside the C.I.A. John O. Brennan’s memoir, “Undaunted,” describes his career at the C.I.A., including his years as head of the agency. By Charlie Savage nonfiction What It Means to Be the ‘Token’ Black Kid in a Rich, White World In “Greyboy,” Cole Brown recounts the lives of privileged outsiders, himself among them. By Michael Pina nonfiction Life in an America Where Some Are Only ‘Conditional Citizens’ In her first nonfiction book, the novelist Laila Lalami offers a wrenching look at her experience as a naturalized citizen and the challenges endured by immigrants like her. By Sonia Nazario nonfiction The Divisions That Are Destroying the Country In “Divided We Fall,” David French warns that secession movements are a real possibility for the future. By James Kirchick shortlist Celebrating Strange Faces, Gorgeous Sentences and Circular Prose Brilliant new essay collections from Namwali Serpell, Brian Dillon and Daniel Mendelsohn. By Becca Rothfeld Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CHILDREN’S BOOKS children’s books 2 New Books Answer Kids’ Pre-Election Questions A review in comics format helps inquisitive young citizens learn how we choose who runs our country. By Nathan Hale FEATURES by the book Steve Martin Likes Books in the ‘I Can’t Put This Down’ Genre “Bookstores could easily have only two sections, ‘Riveting’ and ‘Kinda Boring.’” the long view What the Tumultuous Year 1968 Can Teach Us About Today The dangerous animosities of the past never went away, and have now re-emerged with new force. By Jon Meacham sketchbook What Books Are Good for at the End of the World Heat source or zombie blocker, imagining how books might serve us well in the apocalypse By Kristen Radtke New & Noteworthy, From Joe Biden to a Rock Novel in Verse A selection of recent books of interest; plus, a peek at what our colleagues around the newsroom are reading. ‘Wagner’s Music is Bombastic and Boring’ and Other Letters to the Editor Readers respond to recent issues of the Sunday Book Review. New in Paperback: ‘All Blood Runs Red’ and ‘Frankissstein’ Six new paperbacks to check out this week. By Jennifer Krauss inside the list Getting Lost Helped V.E. Schwab Find the Idea for Her 20th Book ‘The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’ took 10 years to write. The fantasy author describes the process as a ‘very, very long labor of love.’ By Elisabeth Egan 12 New Books We Recommend This Week Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times. Best Sellers Combined Print & E-Book Fiction Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction Hardcover Fiction Hardcover Nonfiction Paperback Trade Fiction Paperback Nonfiction All Lists New International Books Illustration by Thoka Maer Your sneak preview of books coming out in 2020 from around the world. Get globetrotting. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Books from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018