Time's Arrow or The Nature of the Offence

Amis cleverly juxtaposes this with the man’s life as a doctor, which the narrator perceives as the work of a torturer… this inversion of the truth is a very effective method of showing just how distorted the truth of Nazi Germany (or indeed any country exposed to propaganda) would have been. This is very thought-provoking… and you certainly have to do a lot of thinking when reading this book, what with all conversations taking place in reverse and so forth.

However, interesting and intellectual as this book certainly is, Amis does very little else after establishing the raison d’etre of the story. Once you’ve “discovered” (the jacket gives it away immediately) the author’s conceit, then you could, almost, write the rest of the book yourself and realise the points Amis makes without actually reading them. Interesting and, at times, entertaining though it is, more could have been done to make it a more fulfilling read. Single-concept efforts take a lot of talent to pull off successfully – talent Amis certainly has; he just didn’t use it to its fullest here.


awe inspiring   July 30, 2002
Elmore (Isle of Wight)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

A book of stark, gaunt imagery and truly emotive subjects. Time's arrow delivers on many levels, as a warning of mans descent into pure evil it utilises the Nazi's reign to portray how seemingly 'normal' people can be turned to sadistic keepers of hell on Earth. The inverted time scale creates a sense of disarray which adds to the tumultuous approach to the inevitable revelation of Tod Friendly's real history.
Contrary to what some have said, Amis deals with the Holocaust with a subtle approach, mirrored by Tod's reversed morality toward the horrific going-ons in Auschwitz.
A heart wrenchingly powerful read, which evokes a myriad of emotions.


Back from the Future.   February 16, 2001
3 out of 5 found this review helpful

A man's life viewed in reverse: this is the central conceit of Martin Amis's excellent novel, and once you adjust to the style, it proves an amazing read. From his last hospital breaths to his conception, we see Amis's protagonist's life - affairs and medical career progressing backward to reveal a horrific dark secret in his past. It would be a shame to reveal this in a review, but even so, the charge made that Amis has exploited a certain unsavoury period in Twentieth Century history for entertainment value seems difficult to credit, any more than Beryl Bainbridge exploited the Crimean War to such effect in Master Georgie or Hilary Mantel the French Revolution, in A Place of Greater Safety. A 1990s British classic.


Life story told from death to birth by main character's soul   December 4, 2000
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Amis presents an entertaining and enlightening read with Time's Arrow. The story is told by the "soul" of the main character, Dr. Tod Friendly, who narrates Tod's life in reverse. The narrator's innocence makes the read interesting as he describes everyday events taking place backwards as though that was the way the incidents always occur. His naivete also hints at a terrible secret Tod seems to be running from. The reader discovers it during WWII when the main character works at Auschwitz concentration camp. Not only does Amis contrive poignant Holocaust images, but the reversal of time's arrow lets the reader see the event in a different light, one that parallels the Nazi's idea of "creating" a perfect race through genocide. Amis's characteristic mastery of language and satirical wit can be seen throughout the work while his wonderful prose never fails to entertain. Though a little complicated at times, the novel is definately a worthwhile read as it gets the reader's mind working and will not be easily forgotten.


amazing!   November 5, 2000
2 out of 5 found this review helpful

I thought this book was stunning. The concept is brilliant, and the beginning, at least, is very funny. The way the story unfolds was genius - bit like Memento, the movie.