I don't recommend "The Rachel Papers", "Dead Babies", or most of the recent titles. "London Fields", "Other People", "The Information", "Money" and "Success" are the best bets.

The Information is my favorite Amis novel. Time's Arrow is brilliant, but not representative of his other work. Night Train is also atypical.

Money is by far is best novel, but I'd also highly recommend the memoir Experience for anyone interested in Kingsley Amis, Saul Bellow or the lasting damage of British dental treatment.

even tho I first read london fields, if u r a guy with a wry sense of humor, start with money and get a feel 4 m. amis at his loony, comical self. The protagonist is a hoot. I have read c. 7 or 8 of his booksand they strike me as some what different, but still with his underlying sense of humor intact. If u want a more mature M. amis, try lucky jim by kingsley amis.

Have to disagree here with one of the previous comments. "The Rachel Papers" is by far the best introduction to Amis. Romantic, humorous, dark at times without crossing over into the malevolent worldview that mars much of his later work - see "Yellow Dog" for the most egregious example - this is a book that is very much in love with the idea of writing. Though sexual, as Amis almost always is, it isn't overly graphic - see, again, "Yellow Dog" - and his protagonist, Charles Highway, is his most appealing. The opening lines catch you with their charm and grace, and Amis holds you up to the finish.