Book: Time's Arrow

Martin Amis 1991

"Time's Arrow" by Martin Amis is a provocative and ingeniously narrated novel that defies the conventions of storytelling by unfolding in reverse chronological order. Through the eyes of an ethereal narrator, readers follow the life of Tod T. Friendly, a doctor with a dark past, as his history unravels from death back to birth. The novel explores themes of identity, morality, and redemption, revealing the profound impact of historical events and personal actions. As Tod's life unfolds backward, ordinary events take on new, often unsettling meanings, challenging readers to reconsider the nature of time and human experience. Amis crafts a complex narrative that is both captivating and unsettling, inviting readers to explore the implications of a life lived in reverse. Through this unique narrative approach, "Time's Arrow" offers a compelling meditation on the irreversible nature of time and the inescapable shadows of history.