In the piercingly witty "Girl, 20," Kingsley Amis navigates the treacherous waters of love, age, and fidelity with his signature blend of sharp humor and keen observation. The novel introduces us to Douglas Yandell, a young and somewhat idealistic music critic, who finds himself entangled in the personal dramas of the Vandervane family. At the heart of this turbulent saga is Sir Roy Vandervane, a charismatic yet morally dubious orchestra conductor whose insatiable appetite for younger women threatens to unravel the fabric of his life and those around him. When Kitty Vandervane, his long-suffering wife, enlists Douglas to uncover the identity of Roy's latest conquest—a mystery girl barely out of her teens—the ensuing quest plunges Douglas into a world of moral dilemmas and emotional complexities. "Girl, 20" is not merely a tale of romantic entanglements and generational clash; it is a keenly observed critique of the mores and social attitudes of its time, rendered with Amis’s unparalleled wit and precision. As Douglas navigates the murky waters between loyalty and desire, the novel explores themes of youth and aging, the true cost of pleasure, and the elusive nature of happiness. Amis masterfully crafts a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, making "Girl, 20" a timeless exploration of human relationships and the absurdities of love.