The Moronic Inferno: And Other Visits to America (1986) is a collection of non-fiction essays on the subject of America, by the British novelist Martin Amis.
In the book's introduction, Amis reveals that he had been asked to write a book about America on previous occasions, but that The Moronic Inferno had come together "unpremeditated, accidental, and in installments" while he was "upending [his] desk drawer to prepare a collection of occasional journalism".[1] The 'Moronic Inferno' of the title is a phrase that Amis acknowledges is derived from a line by Saul Bellow, who in turn had borrowed it from the British author Wyndham Lewis.[2][3][4]
In the New Statesman, Jason Cowley wrote, "In journalistic mode, Amis is without peer: when he writes about writers — indeed, when he writes about anyone, such as Hugh Hefner — the long profile becomes, in his hands, a capacious, infinitely flexible form in which to combine reportage, criticism, humour, exalted phrase-making, and a clear-eyed, penetrating sense of purpose...Not a month passes, but I encounter someone who has read, and been influenced by, The Moronic Inferno and Other Visits to America, a collection of journalism first published in 1986, but one that continues to enjoy a radiant afterlife. The Moronic Inferno includes some of the best profiles of writers ever written. They are as memorable as any postwar literary essay I have read."[6] In his study Understanding Martin Amis, critic James Diedrick called the book, "A superb collection."[7]
The articles
"Saul Bellow and the Moronic Inferno" [London Review of Books, 1982 and Observer, 1984]
James Cowley in The New Statesman on Martin Amis and The Moronic Inferno
Martin Amis on Saul Bellow and The Moronic Inferno in The London Review of Books
March 10, 2023
moronic, inferno, other, visits, america, 1986, collection, fiction, essays, subject, america, british, novelist, martin, amis, edition, publ, jonathan, cape, contents, amis, essays, reception, articles, references, external, linksamis, editin, book, introduct. The Moronic Inferno And Other Visits to America 1986 is a collection of non fiction essays on the subject of America by the British novelist Martin Amis 1st edition Publ Jonathan Cape Contents 1 Amis on The Moronic Inferno 2 Essays 3 Reception 4 The articles 5 References 6 External linksAmis on The Moronic Inferno EditIn the book s introduction Amis reveals that he had been asked to write a book about America on previous occasions but that The Moronic Inferno had come together unpremeditated accidental and in installments while he was upending his desk drawer to prepare a collection of occasional journalism 1 The Moronic Inferno of the title is a phrase that Amis acknowledges is derived from a line by Saul Bellow who in turn had borrowed it from the British author Wyndham Lewis 2 3 4 Essays EditThe twenty six articles collected many of which are expanded from their original forms and containing postscripts commenting on subsequent developments after publication are drawn from Amis numerous contributions to The Observer the New Statesman The Sunday Telegraph Magazine the London Review of Books Tatler and Vanity Fair 5 between 1977 85 The articles consider among other things American politics major literary figures the evangelical Christianity movement cinema sex and numerous facets of popular culture Reception EditIn the New Statesman Jason Cowley wrote In journalistic mode Amis is without peer when he writes about writers indeed when he writes about anyone such as Hugh Hefner the long profile becomes in his hands a capacious infinitely flexible form in which to combine reportage criticism humour exalted phrase making and a clear eyed penetrating sense of purpose Not a month passes but I encounter someone who has read and been influenced by The Moronic Inferno and Other Visits to America a collection of journalism first published in 1986 but one that continues to enjoy a radiant afterlife The Moronic Inferno includes some of the best profiles of writers ever written They are as memorable as any postwar literary essay I have read 6 In his study Understanding Martin Amis critic James Diedrick called the book A superb collection 7 The articles Edit Saul Bellow and the Moronic Inferno London Review of Books 1982 and Observer 1984 The Killings in Atlanta Observer 1981 Truman Capote Knowing Everybody Tatler 1978 and Observer 1985 Philip Roth No Satisfaction New Statesman 1978 and Observer 1984 Elvis Presley He Did It His Way Observer 1981 Diana Trilling at Claremont Avenue Observer 1982 Norman Mailer The Avenger and the Bitch Observer 1981 1982 and 1985 Palm Beach Don t You Love It Tatler 1979 Brian DePalma The Movie Brute Vanity Fair 1984 Here s Ronnie On the Road with Reagan Sunday Telegraph 1979 Mr Vidal Unpatriotic Gore Sunday Telegraph 1977 and Observer 1982 Too Much Monkey Business The New Evangelical Right Observer 1980 Vidal v Falwell Observer 1982 Joseph Heller Giantslayer Observer 1984 Newspeak at Vanity Fair Observer 1983 Kurt Vonnegut After the Slaughterhouse Observer 1983 Gloria Steinem and the Feminist Utopia Observer 1984 William Burroughs The Bad Bits New Statesman 1977 Steven Spielberg Boyish Wonder Observer 1982 John Updike Rabbitland and Bechville Observer 1982 and 1983 Joan Didion s Style London Review of Books 1980 In Hefnerland Observer 1985 Paul Theroux s Enthusiasms Observer 1985 Gay Talese Sex Affirmative Observer 1980 Double Jeopardy Making Sense of AIDS Observer 1985 Saul Bellow in Chicago Observer 1983 8 References Edit Amis Martin The Moronic Inferno p ix Amis Martin The Moronic Inferno p xi James Diedrick Understanding Martin Amis South Carolina University of South Carolina Press 2004 p 200 Martin Amis The Moronic Inferno London Review of Books 1 April 1982 Amis Martin The Moronic Inferno p xi Jason Cowley Talking Heads New Statesman 24 June 2002 James Diedrick Understanding Martin Amis South Carolina University of South Carolina Press 2004 p 200 Amis Martin The Moronic Inferno p viiExternal links EditJames Cowley in The New Statesman on Martin Amis and The Moronic Inferno Martin Amis on Saul Bellow and The Moronic Inferno in The London Review of Books Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Moronic Inferno amp oldid 788063313, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
