iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Replies

John Self @john-self.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

My last commission of the year just disappeared with a pop, so to console myself I'm rereading this. Aside from anything else, this is the best cover from all Amis's novels when they rejacketed them in a series look about 20 years ago. It's just perfect.

Night Train by Martin Amis, in a Vintage paperback 2003 edition. The cover is matt white card with the author's name and title written in rough-edged pencil, but in proper typefaces, as though someone is trying to recreate a professional cover by hand. The illustration is a single cigarette, very roughly drawn in grey pencil.

1123819

The Dreaded Lurgy @thedreadedlurgy.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

That's the only Amis I've read, and I thought it was excellent. If I read another, what should it be?

310

Moth2aflame @captconvolvuli.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

I was recommended Amis years ago. By a greek English professor. Money I think it was called. Dark as pitch. Couldn't stomach it. But....now, it's well 2025. He gets another random paragraph flick at a second hand book shop for Xmas. Thanks.

000

Daniel Benneworth-Gray @danielgray.com · 18/12/2025

Ooh that’s LOVELY. Any credit?

110

Max Cairnduff @maxcairnduff.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

I loved that book. And absolutely, what a cover! It’s the only Amis I still have a copy of. Thanks for switching me on to it a few years back.

010

The Writers' Practice @writerspractice.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

My fave along with Experience. I miss him.

000

Slow Down Arthur @admiralbooth.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Amis novels nearly always have terrible covers.

110

Daniel Tunnard @danieltunnard.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Just realised (I read the article) that your name is a pen name

100

This fear of anchovies @orthobob.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Think there's definitely a positive rethink going on regarding Amis's later novels. Have you heard The Martin Chronicles's recent podcast about Lionel Asbo?

110

owenspottiswoode.bsky.social @owenspottiswoode.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Ah, the handle makes sense now! If only all commissions were as easy and forthcoming as Fielding Goodney's, eh?

120

wetwebwork @wetwebwork.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Been a very long time since I read it and so I might be forgetting the cheerful uplifting parts, but I don't remember it being a great consolation read? Still, love that cover! And a great book.

100

John Self @john-self.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Rereading Night Train makes me realise how many lines have stuck in my head without my realising it was the source. "Guys? She combed them out of her hair." And the style is Amis-ish but corrupted to a semi-articulacy at times, which gives it even more force.

380