A small inheritance triggers Tony Webster to ponder on events, which took place in his youth. Some of the early flashbacks include discussions they had in school about the objectivity of history and the historian’s influence on the narrative.
“History is that certainty produced at the point where the imperfections of memory meet the inadequacies of documentation.”
This frames The Sense of an Ending nicely. Even if Barnes has managed to squeeze in a lot in this slim novella, the main theme relates to how we all choose to remember our own story, the way we want to remember it.
“How often do we tell our own life story? How often do we adjust, embellish, make sly cuts? And the longer life goes on, the fewer are those around to challenge our account, to remind us that our life is not our life, merely the story we have told about our life. Told to others, but—mainly—to ourselves.”
Tony is a great example. His memory has filtered out or modified events from his youth to the extent that he appears to be an unreliable narrator.
However, towards the end there is a revelation of something Tony actually didn’t realise as a youngster, which makes the story come full circle. Suddenly all the events, Tony has talked about during the book can be seen in a different light and I was almost tempted to start all over again, to see events from this new angle. Almost tempted.
The thing is, even if I admired the concept and was emotionally affected by the late revelation, I didn’t really enjoy the journey to get there.
I recently read Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair, which wasn’t a good experience. Amongst other things, I struggled with the endless, obsessive musings of the middle-aged, self-centred narrator who can’t get over a past love affair. When I read the blurb for The Sense of an Ending, I did spot certain similarities, even if the premise is completely different. Perhaps I should have listened to my own instincts, because once again, I didn’t have much interest in these introspective musings from a middle-aged, self-centred protagonist, who tries to find meaning in a rather mundane and uneventful life.
Still, the story is cleverly spun, the writing is good and it’s a short book (4 1/2 hours on audio) so I don’t regret reading it. And if I take anything with me, it is to get the absolutely best out of the rest of my life in a targeted attempt not to end up like Tony.
And so, for the first time, I began to feel a more general remorse – a feeling somewhere between self-pity and self-hatred – about my whole life. All of it. I had lost the friends of my youth. I had lost the love of my wife. I had abandoned the ambitions I had entertained. I had wanted life not to bother me too much, and had succeeded – and how pitiful that was.”
Title: The Sense of an Ending [2011] Author: Julian Barnes Format: Audiobook, narrated by Richard Morant Genre: Contemporary Fiction
The Sense of an Ending won the Booker Prize in 2011 and it’s number 39 on BBC’s list of The 100 Greatest British Novels.
Interesting. Another book I’ve long intended to pick up (Like The End of the Affair). Perhaps, since I have the advantage over you in years, such books might appeal more. When I finally read one or the other, I’ll let you know!
If I were to choose between those books, I would without doubt start with The Sense of an Ending. Even if it wasn’t a favourite of mine, I could appreciate its qualities and I loved the way it all came together and how everything linked into the overarching theme of writing one’s own history. Not sure, if my views are related to age. However, I think you are probably a more generous person than me and may find it easier to get on with this type of narrative.
I’m not sure I’m particularly generous though possibly when it comes to books I do give the authors a fair degree of latitude. Not necessarily helpful when it comes to reviews 😉 I’ll be intrigued now to see what I make of this one. When I get to it *sigh*
I know, too many books! But I would be intrigued to hear what you make of this one as well!
Another great review. I do like your honesty. I can’t remember if I’ve read any Julian Barnes or not – one of the reasons I started writing reviews was to keep track of what I’d read. I think I may have read one but what it was called, who knows? Again, this book sounds an interesting read, if only to discover how it comes full circle. My curiosity is piqued.
I actually started this year to register my reading at Goodreads. Before that, I had no idea what I’ve read during the year (yes, I do have a terrible memory 😁). It also makes it easier, if I want to do wrap-up posts, best books of the year or memes, where I need to look back.
It really was an interesting book and even if I had a few issues, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it because of its cleverness and wonderful writing.
Hi. Do you plan to read another of his novels?
Normally, I’m reluctant to give authors a second chance, but I actually enjoyed his writing so much, so it could happen.
I haven’t read any Barnes, I have a feeling he isn’t for me… thanks for sharing your review!
Maybe he isn’t for me either, but at least I could see why some people praise this one so much.
Sandra makes a good point. I enjoy Barnes’ writing, and don’t know this one. I’m prepared to give it a go!
I don’t know if it’s age related, but maybe that is part of the explanation. I did enjoy some of the philosophical musings, but quite often I just wanted to kick the protagonist and tell him to move on. The writing on the other hand was excellent!
That’s a great distinction to make. Excellent writing on its own isn’t usually enough.
Exactly, it can enhance the reading experience, but not stand alone.
The message not to close yourself off and embrace life seems to be key here and is quite a recurring theme in many novels. I’m curious now what made him have the revelation about his life in the end. Thank you for another excellent review!
Yes, it probably is a recurring theme, but that doesn’t make it less important! Haha, no spoilers from me, if you want to know, you have to read it! 😁 Thanks Inge and you’re welcome!
Thanks for this review – I’m sort of intrigued by the book based on your review and description of it, even if it wasn’t a 5-star read. It sounds like a book that is, if nothing else, excellent food for thought.
You are welcome! Even if it wasn’t a 5-star read for me, I will still recommend it. There definitely was lots of food for thought and the writing was very good!
I haven’t read this one but in general I always struggle with Barnes. I love his writing and he picks interesting subjects but somehow they never make me feel involved – there’s a kind of coldness in the way he tells his stories, all intelligence but not much heart. I am intrigued to know what the revelation is though. I may have to read it to find out!
I actually loved his writing as well, even if I didn’t love the book. It actually annoyed me, that I didn’t get on with this extremely clever, introspective, philosophical novel, which on paper should have been right up my street. Still, he is one of the few writers, I am willing to give a second chance. Haha, no spoilers from me. If you want to know, you have to read it! 😁
I read this a few years ago and really loved it, the conversations that have stayed with me are the teenage boys. But it is true how we all have our own versions of events, my brother and I were making comparisons last weekend – hilarious!
I enjoyed the conversations they had as teenage boys as well. Haha, great story about you and your brother. It is interesting how our “truth” is always subjective, which explains why people quite often disagree about “facts”. Glad you loved it. I wanted to love it as well, it was such a clever, rounded and self-contained story, which impressed me. But I didn’t love it.
I didn’t like this book. It was short and clever, but I missed a story? It’s been a while that I’ve read it and I forgot most of it 😅
Yes, short and clever for sure. Both of which I approve of. And still it didn’t really work for me. Haha, I heard another reader saying the same about being forgettable!
It’s amazing how sometimes those unlikable or forlorn characters can spur us on! Kudos to you for finishing this one and being grateful you read it even if it wasn’t tip top. Loved reading your thoughts!
Yes, very true! And even if I didn’t love it, I could still appreciate it had certain qualities. So I would still recommend it to readers, who enjoy more slowgoing and introspective stories.
It’s a long long time since I read this book, but for a long long time it was one of my most popular posts. I could never understand why an Aussie blogger reviewing it got such attention, but I did really like the book. I haven’t read Barnes for a while.
I love your opening quote. History is such an interesting subject – both itself, and about itself.
I guess this book has got a lot attention because of the Booker Prize. In any case, I’ve always found it a bit unpredictable, which reviews turn out to be popular. My most popular one is Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, which I wouldn’t have guessed either.
I agree about history. It’s interesting that something, we think of as objective (at least when we first start to learn in school) is highly subjective and depending on where you are in the world and who wrote the book.
I think I had similar thoughts about the book as you did. But it’s been awhile now since I’ve read it … so I’m trying to recall the ending. here is my review : https://www.thecuecard.com/books/sense-ending-1004/
I wonder if I will remember this story in a few year’s time. Apparently, many readers have found it forgettable.