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The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

Meeting date: December 18, 2018 ;
Star rating: 1.4/5 stars

A novel so compelling that it begs to be read in a single setting, The Sense of an Ending has the psychological and emotional depth and sophistication of Henry James at his best, and is a stunning achievement in Julian Barnes's oeuvre.

This intense novel follows Tony Webster, a middle-aged man, as he contends with a past he never thought much about—until his closest childhood friends return with a vengeance: one of them from the grave, another maddeningly present. Tony thought he left this all behind as he built a life for himself, and his career has provided him with a secure retirement and an amicable relationship with his ex-wife and daughter, who now has a family of her own. But when he is presented with a mysterious legacy, he is forced to revise his estimation of his own nature and place in the world.

Comments from attendees:
  • This book requires a lot of thought and time despite its low page count.
  • Time can rewrite the past - you can fabricate the past/your memory of the past
  • Audiobook was definitely better than the just reading the book
  • "BUT WHO CARES THOUGH? WHY DOES IT MATTER?"
  • This isn't a book for everyone.
  • Deeply philosophical, relies on metaphors, foreshadowing; writer's craft book
  • Only good thing: "I don't have to read it again." 😬
Lowest rating: 0
Highest rating: 3
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