Listen Live
Donate
 on air
Schedule

KCRW

Read & Explore

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Events

Listen

  • Live Radio
  • Music
  • Podcasts
  • Full Schedule

Information

  • About
  • Careers
  • Help / FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Support

  • Become a Member
  • Become a VIP
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
  • Member Perks

Become a Member

Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

DonateGive Monthly

Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
Cookie Policy|FCC Public Files

Back to Bookworm

Bookworm

Martin Amis: Lionel Asbo

British novelist Martin Amis discusses how a writer makes a good character endearing when readers want to root for the villain in his new work.

  • rss
Download MP3
  • Share
By Michael Silverblatt • Oct 25, 2012 • 28m Listen

: State of England

(Knopf)

Martin Amis discusses our sympathy for the devil, the snowballing corruption and evil of the present, and the acrobatics of keeping up with his characters.

Banner image: Maximilian Schoenherr

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Michael Silverblatt

    host, 'Bookworm'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Connie Alvarez

    Communications Director

  • KCRW placeholder

    Alan Howard

    Bookworm Collaborator

    CultureBooksArts
Back to Bookworm