This novel could be called “Millennium” or “The Death of Love”, “The Arrow of Time” or “Her Destiny is to Be Killed”. However, Martin Amis decided to call it “The London Fields”. After reading this exciting novel, the reader will understand the meaning of its title. The author plays with the reader, but this game does not take a great interest, because it is still difficult to read the book. Names, denouement, murder – everything is planned from the very outset. The reader even knows who the killer is and who the victim is. It seems that Amis can say, “I am carrying the honest game, dot the i’s and cross the t’s, there are no secrets”. In addition, the novel is written “on the inside” – the author of the novel seems to be one of the neutral characters, who know their role. The author describes the events; he does not participate in these events to some extent.
At first, it seems that the action takes place in our contemporary world. However, the millennium gradually enters the novel – not very far-sighted, because we, the present-day readers, have already experienced it and do not experience the same trembling feelings as readers had twenty years ago. The author also introduces a small apocalypse along with the millennium, so this is a kind of parallel, but a very familiar reality. Take America, for example. This country does not let in itself some groups of people – here the author is very visionary and accurate. The only thing that has rewarded the almost endless novel is its ending. The ending is somehow particularly successful for the writer. Sometimes, it happens that a bad ending spoils the book, but here everything is quite to opposite.
All the characters, their life, social status, life principles and values are very accurately described in the novel. The reader wants to expect strong emotions from this book, especially drawing attention to the fact that there are no London fields in the novel. Here is a real swamp! Here is a real confusion of aimless life, drunkenness, fraud, violence, vulgarity and other abominations. The whole filth of life is collected in this book. However, that is why?
The meaning of the novel can remain a mystery. However, “stylistic triumph” cannot be noticed and “exquisite shock” cannot be experienced. Amis extended “pleasure” for 800 pages. And the reader can only wait, when the woman, who is “destined to be killed”, would be killed at last. It may seem that to read the book to the end is a stupid idea, because the ending is already obvious. The plot of the novel is tangled and unfolds slowly. Nevertheless, the book does not get boring, because the intervals between the active actions are filled with a variety of incredibly interesting notes, arguments and stories from the past.
The style of Martin Amis is delightful. The writer easily and carelessly changes the language, speed and pace of the novel, plays with the most vulgar and sublime elements. It does not seem in tension – everything seems natural. In general, this is a very witty and unpredictable novel. Its only disadvantage is a prolonged plot, but the disclosure of intrigue compensates for hours of long reading.
