Martin Amis

"In the spiritual science of Rudolf Steiner, he describes a period of time called Kamaloka when shortly after death we review our life. During this stage we live our life backwards - we experience feelings in reverse. If we harmed someone during our life, during Kamaloka, we re-experience our interactions with others from their feeling states. Thus if we made someone feel good, we feel good. If we caused them pain, we experience the pain they felt as our own pain. The Christian concept of sin leading to suffering in Hell seems consonant with Steiner's description of kamaloka. The other Christian concept of "if you suffer on earth, your reward will be in heaven" also fits nicely. Completing the process of kamaloka returns one to a childlike state, free from sorrow, and, as a child, prepares us "to enter the kingdom of heaven."" [http://www.doyletics.com/art/taart.htm Dec.1,2004]

This is the philosophical/ spiritual premise of the very interesting book I just finished by Martin Amis. It was a little annoying at first because nothing makes sense and I was like WTF? Where is this going? Do I care?
However once you get into the flow of his writing is it actually quite persuasive. I am about as incredulous a reader as you are going to get. And after I got used to the narrative train I was "All Aboard." Even after putting the book down I am still contemplating life in reverse. Amis was able to find a novel way to talk about the holocaust, especially from the perpetrators.
No doubt this book takes patience. There are certainly some blaring inconsistencies but the idea and the skill at which you are inserted into this completely foreign time structure cannot be denied.
Amis very carefully constructs a narrator who is separate but inexorably connected to the main character. I am not sure if who this person is ever clearly defined. Is he a victim of the holocaust or an "angel" or something? I am not sure. But great little book, that really left me with an alternate perspective even if just briefly...