Lucky Jim

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Lucky Jim is a comic novel written by Kingsley Amis, first published in 1954. It was his first novel, and won the Somerset Maugham Award for fiction. Set sometime around 1950, Lucky Jim follows the exploits of the titular protagonist James Dixon, a reluctant history lecturer at a provincial English university (inspired in part by the University of Leicester). The novel exemplifies the use of a precise but plain-spoken narrative voice.

[edit] Plot summary

Jim Dixon is not particularly dedicated to his job as a medieval history lecturer at a provincial university, having taken it to avoid school teaching, and unable to obtain work in any other field. Having made a particularly bad first impression in the history department, he is concerned about being fired at the end of his first semester, and seeks to hold his position by maintaining good relations with his superior, the tedious Professor Welch - an often absent-minded dilettante. He also attempts to get his article on the economic ramifications of medieval shipbuilding methods (written solely as a means of enhancing his standing in the department) published in a journal, without success.

Dixon is largely without the tact and prudence expected in high society interaction - character traits displayed by his difficulty in accepting the pretension of Welch and others. Dixon's utter contempt for just about everyone around him, including his on-again off-again "girlfriend" Margaret (a fellow, but senior, lecturer), is presented as nearly unbearable; Welch's "arty" endeavors present several opportunities for Dixon to advance his standing amongst his colleagues and superiors, however these go terribly astray. Along the way Dixon meets Christine, a young Londoner who is dating Professor Welch's son Bertrand - an amateur painter whose pompousness particularly infuriates Dixon -, and comes to find out she too has just as little patience for the world of artists and connoisseurs. The two pursue a short-lived affair, which becomes an undercurrent for Dixon's further contempt toward Bertrand.

The novel reaches its climax in Dixon's lecture on "Merrie England," which goes horribly wrong as Dixon, attempting to calm his nerves with a little too much alcohol, uncontrollably begins to mock Welch and everything else that he hates; he finally goes into convulsions and passes out. Welch, of course, fires Dixon.

However, a wealthy Scottish businessman who seems to have a tacit respect for Dixon's individuality and attitude towards pretension gives Dixon a good job in London that pays much better than his lecturing position. Jim finally has the last laugh as Christine, having found out Bertrand was also pursuing an affair with the wife of one of Jim's former colleagues, decides to resume her relationship with him in London. The end of the book has Dixon and Christine bumping into the Welches on the street; Jim can't help walking right up to them, with Christine on his arm, and exploding in laughter at how ridiculous they truly are.

[edit] Film adaptations

In the 1957 British movie version (an adaptation of a stage play), which was produced and directed by twin brothers John and Roy Boulting, Jim Dixon was played by Ian Carmichael. In a made-for-TV remake of 2003 directed by Robin Shepperd, the role was taken over by Stepen Tompkinson.