Money

Exploration of John Self's relationship with money and how it defines his behavior and his relationships. As promised in the description, John Self is excessive and self-destructive. It's written in the first person; Self has a sense of humor and there's a lot of dark comedy in the situations he's involved in.

Self made money in the advertising business and comes to America to direct a Hollywood film and perhaps rise even higher in money, success, and so on. He runs on the “heavy fuel” of alcohol, fast food, drugs, porn, and hookers. Money interests him for what it can buy rather than accumulating it for security. Takes place at the end of the 70s/start of the 80s when there was an energy crisis, recession, stagflation, etc.

His personal relationships are based on money. His Girlfriend Selina is a kept woman and their sex life is creepily based on financial transactions until she finds a bigger fish. He has a friend who uses him as a money loan source and a father who gives him a bill for his care and upbringing and he actually pays it. Only his college friend, Martina, doesn't need money from him. Instead, she tries to get him to be a better person. Less drinking, reading important books, better food. Her relationship with money is different as she's an heiress and perfectly comfortable. She lives quietly, not to impress anyone. He looks up to her without acknowledging that she can have that relationship when she's free of the money worries that plague the rest of us.

Once the crisis point hits, Self is not transformed. He would do it all again the same way if he had a chance. Tragic-comedy with a warning about the pitfalls of money.

odiei!

This book would've been a brilliant masterpiece if Amis spent less time on showing off.