Bill Nighy led tributes to Sir Martin Amis at a memorial service for the late author.
Bill Nighy led tributes to Sir Martin Amis at a memorial service for the late author
The world-renowned writer, who was behind novels such as ‘Time’s Arrow’ – which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1991 – passed away last year aged 73, and several stars attended a special remembrance service for the late novelist on Monday (10.06.24) at London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields, a Church of England parish church.
‘Love Actually’ star Bill – who is a huge fan of the author’s work – gave readings from Martin’s writings at the event, which was also attended by Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour and his wife Polly Samson.
According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Martin’s widow, author Isabel Fonseca, gave an emotional speech at the service, and she was joined by the likes of fellow novelists Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan, and poet James Fenton.
Sir Salman Rushdie, a friend of Martin, was unable to attend the service, but he penned a written tribute to his late pal.
He said: “Only Martin sounded like Martin Amis, and it was unwise to try and imitate him.
“He used to say that what he wanted to do was leave behind a shelf of books – to be able to say ‘from here to here, it’s me’.
“His voice is silent now. His friends will miss him terribly. But at least we have the shelf.”
Following his death, Martin was posthumously knighted for services to literature.
He passed away from oesophageal cancer in May 2023 at his home in Florida.
Martin published 15 novels over the course of his career and was best known for his so-called London trilogy of novels, comprised of ‘Money: A Suicide Note’, ‘London Fields’, and ‘The Information’.
Speaking about his works in a 1985 interview, Martin said: “What I’ve tried to do is to create a high style to describe low things: the whole world of fast food, sex shows, nude mags.
“I’m often accused of concentrating on the pungent, rebarbative side of life in my books, but I feel I’m rather sentimental about it. Anyone who reads the tabloid papers will rub up against much greater horrors than I describe.”
