Money Summary & Key Insights

Martin Amis's Money follows the decadent and ultimately self-destructive life of John Self, a cynical, overweight, and alcoholic screenwriter living in 1980s London. The novel is a darkly comedic and satirical exploration of consumerism, ambition, and the corrosive effects of wealth and power.

The narrative unfolds around Self's frantic attempts to finish a screenplay while simultaneously navigating a complex web of relationships and financial anxieties. He is commissioned to write a script about a businessman, which mirrors his own increasingly precarious situation. His life is fueled by a relentless pursuit of money and the fleeting pleasures it can buy – expensive meals, lavish hotels, and fleeting romantic encounters. His lifestyle is largely financed through a series of increasingly desperate loans and schemes.

Central to the plot is Self's complicated relationship with his father, a renowned but now fading author, who he both admires and resents. Their dysfunctional relationship underscores the novel's exploration of generational conflict and the shadow of paternal legacy. He's also deeply entangled with the enigmatic and alluring Maria, a beautiful woman who embodies the alluring yet ultimately shallow aspects of the high-life. Their relationship is a volatile mix of desire, manipulation, and mutual exploitation.

The plot thickens as Self becomes increasingly entangled with his wealthy, volatile, and morally bankrupt client, the infamous "businessman" – a thinly veiled portrait of the infamous Robert Maxwell. This relationship highlights the novel's critique of unchecked capitalism and the corrupting influence of immense wealth. The storyline also involves Selina, a sophisticated and wealthy woman, who represents a more mature and potentially stable alternative to Maria, but Self's self-destructive tendencies prevent him from fully embracing that path.

Throughout the novel, Self's life spirals downward. His attempts at writing become increasingly erratic, his health deteriorates, and his relationships crumble. The narrative culminates in a chaotic and darkly humorous climax, reflecting the complete disintegration of his carefully constructed but ultimately hollow existence. He suffers a near-fatal heart attack, a consequence of his lifestyle choices and emotional turmoil. While he survives, the ending leaves little hope for lasting change.

Money isn't a linear narrative; instead, it’s a fragmented, often stream-of-consciousness account that mimics Self's chaotic inner life. The overarching themes revolve around the destructive nature of materialism, the allure and emptiness of celebrity culture, the complexities of father-son relationships, and the ultimately unsatisfying pursuit of wealth and superficial pleasures. Amis's biting satire and cynical wit effectively expose the hollowness at the heart of this hedonistic lifestyle, leaving the reader to contemplate the true cost of chasing the elusive dream of "money."