Kingsley Amis Books In Order

Publication Order of Jim Dixon Books

Publication Order of Patrick Standish and Jenny Bunn Books

Publication Order of Spectrum Books

Publication Order of James Bond (Extended) Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Kingsley Amis was a reputed novelist from England, who was famous for writing fiction, humor, and horror novels. He was also a well known critic, poet, and teacher. Amis had written over 20 novels, numerous short stories, a memoir, 6 poetry volumes, scripts for television and radio, literary and social criticism works, etc. in his career. He was regarded as the finest comic novelist of the English language in 20th century’s second half by his biographer Zachary Leader. Renowned writer Martin Amis is the son of author Amis. He was ranked at the 9th position in the list of top 50 greatest writers of England since 1945 by The Times in 2008. Author Amis was born as Kingsley William Amis in Clapham, London on April 16, 1922. His father, William Amis, used to work as a clerk in London. Amis was brought up in Norbury. He received his early education from the London City School. In 1941, Amis joined the St John’s College in Oxford on the basis of a scholarship and studied English. It was during this time that Amis came across Philip Larkin and formed a solid bond of friendship with him. During the same year, author Amis became a member of Great Britain’s Communist Party. The next year, he served for the Royal Corps for a brief period and then returned to obtained his degree from Oxford. In 1946, Amis met his first wife Hilary Baldwell and married her in 1948. Immediately after, the couple became the parents of three children, Philip, Martin, and Sally.

Amis published his first book, Lucky Jim, a few days after the birth of Sally. The novel received a wide acclaim all over England and many readers connected with it easily as it contained Britain’s flavor. Since its publication in 1954 until 1972, the book had sold a million and quarter paperback copies throughout the US and UK. It was translated into 2o foreign languages, including Korean, Polish, Serbo-Croat, and Hebrew. The book became the winner of Somerset Maugham literary award and helped author Amis establish himself as a noteworthy writer. In the years that followed, author Amis penned several other novels and they too became greatly successful. In 1965, Amis divorced Hilary Baldwell and married a fellow novelist named Elizabeth Howard. They too separated in 1983. Author Amis received the knighthood in 1990. He suffered a stroke in 1995 and his conditioned continued to worsen in spite of receiving medical attention. Eventually, Amis died on October 22, 1995 in London and was cremated at the Golder Green Crematorium.

Author Amis is still widely popular as a comic author of life. He was quite active from mid to the late 20th century in Britain and was skilled in a number of genres such as essays, food & drink writing, poetry, criticism, anthologies, short stories, mystery, and science fiction. The pattern of development in Amis’ career was inverse to that of Philip Larkin’s. Initially, he just wished to become a poet and shifted his focus towards writing novels after releasing a few verses. However, Amis continued writing poetry along with novels throughout his literary career. His poetry is popular for its accessible and straightforward style. In Lucky Jim, Amis has described a satirizing plot from the point of view of its lead protagonist named Jim Dixon. He has shown that Jim Dixon wishes to became a lecturer and how he finds his way to achieve his dream. After his marriage with Elizabeth Howard ended, Amis went on to live with his former wife Hilary Baldwell and her 3rd husband. This was a deal that his sons Martin and Philip brokered so that Amis could be looked after until his last breath.

The debut book written by author Kingsley Amis is entitled ‘Lucky Jim’. It was released by the Victor Gollancz publication in UK and Doubleday publication in US in the year 1954. The book features the primary characters in the form of Jim Dixon, Christine Callaghan, Professor Welch, Bertrand, Margaret Peel, etc. Author Amis has written the plot as a description of the Jim Dixon’s exploits, who works as a lecturer at an English university. Amis had claimed that the book is dedicated to his dear friend Philip Larkin. At the start of the book’s story, it is depicted that Jim Dixon is employed as a medieval history lecturer at a university in English Midlands. His start at this job is not a confident one and he fears about losing his position. With the hope of becoming a permanent lecturer, Jim tries to maintain a healthy relationship with the head of his department named Professor Welch. Jim also struggles with his relationship with his on-&-off girlfriend Margaret Peel. Margaret is also a lecturer at the same university and is in the process of recovering from her failed attempt of suicide. She blackmails Jim emotionally and doesn’t let him engage in a physical relationship.

All the attempts of Jim to impress Professor Welch go in vain and he ends up making a joke of himself everytime. After sometime, Jim comes across Christine Callaghan, the girlfriend of Bertrand, the son of Welch. Jim seems attracted towards Christine and slowly grows closer to her. Seeing this, Bertrand becomes upset. On one occasion, Bertrand gives an ill treatment to Christine Callaghan during the annual dance at the university, but Jim comes to her rescue. While dropping her home, they kiss each other. The novel goes on to have a dramatic climax that results in the union of Christine and Jim, who move to London to give a new beginning to their lives as a couple. This book was adapted into a film in 1957 with the same name. It starred Ian Carmichael in the role of Jim Dixon. Another TV remake was made in 2003 with Stephen Tompkinson as the lead actor. Another TV series was created by BBC in 1967 based on this novel.

Another popular book penned by author Amis is called ‘The Old Devils’. It was published in 1986 and features the central characters in the roles of Alun Weaver, Rhiannon, Peter Thomas, etc. At the beginning of the story of the book, it is shown that Alun Weaver works as a writer with modest celebrity status. He and his wife Rhiannon make a return to their native place in Wales. Peter Thomas is an old acquaintance of Alun Weaver, who was in relationship with Rhiannon before her marriage to Alun Weaver. After their return to Wales, Alun begins to reunite with some of his old friends. While drinking with another acquaintance at his house, Alun Weaver drops dead. Following his death his friends indulge in picking up the remains of the brief reunion. This novel received the Booker Prize and was adapted into a TV series for the BBC by Andrew Davies. This series starred Bernard Hepton, Ray Smith, John Stride, and James Grout in the main roles.