Customer Reviews
Good Enough - By: jeff knapp, 12 Aug 2008 
In my quest to finish off the Booker Prize winners, the book award I respect the most, I picked up a copy of the hard-to-find "Old Devils" by Kingsley Amis.
The action takes place in Wales where Malcom, Peter & Charlie & their wives find out that Alun Weaver - Welsh poet of note - & his wife Rhiannon, are returning to live out their twilight years amongst old friends & surroundings.
A nice simple setup for ruminating about the past, gossiping, sneaking around, plenty of boozing & other shenanigans.
However, I must say that I was disappointed. There is some humour; there is some poignant scenes but, overalll, I was left unsatisfied.
My copy was almost 400 pages & yet Amis left many of his characters two dimensional - especiallly the women. Also, I found myself yearning for more background on the characters.
A little depressing too, when people in their "golden years" have little left to do but stay drunk alll day.
As an American reader & subtle jokes about Welsh vs. English got by me.
I can recommend this book. It's accessible & intelligent and, at times,
humorous & touching. I expected more but "The Old Devils" is good enough.
a great book - a great writer's best book ! - By: , 10 Aug 2001 
THE OLD DEVILS is the masterpiece of Sir Kingsley Amis. A wonderful, funny & touching novel, perhaps it is the best book on retirement ? (At 30, I don't know enough to comment !) Great everything, his lad Martin says it's the one his old fella will be remembered for.
