This is Martin Amis' first novel written back in 1973. It appears to be autobiographical about a young man, Charles, who is about to have his 20th birthday and who is trying to win over Rachel while also studying for entrance exams for Oxford. It reminded me somewhat of a British "Catcher in the Rye" with the obsessions of a young man starting out in life. At times the novel is quite funny and often very sexual. It definitely shows the spirit of the time it was written with the music, hippies, etc. It is also full of literary references - Charles is a very literate person with a passion for poetry especially William Blake. I've read a few other works by Amis including "Time's Arrow." I would give this one a mild recommendation.

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