Writers: Martin Amis

Confusing, gripping Holocaust fiction

Martin Amis' 'Time's Arrow', at its onset, deliberately attempts to totally confuse the reader; the whole narrative is written backwards, and the reader must therefore adjust to every event that is written as being in reverse. Having this literary technique in regards to Holocaust fiction only makes the novel more interesting; in particular, the revelations visited upon the reader as the narrator travels further back in the protagonist Friendly's life. I found myself questioning every single thing that was said because of the reversed chronology; this technique really entrenched me in the narrative, and made me think about what I was reading to a higher degree than I have for a while!