30 pages 1 hour read

Julian Barnes

The Sense of an Ending

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes follows Tony Webster, a retired man reflecting on his past relationships with his ex-girlfriend, Veronica Ford, and his enigmatic friend, Adrian Finn, after receiving a mysterious bequest. Tony's quest to understand the inheritance and its implications leads him to confront the reliability of his memories, revealing complex truths and altering his perception of the past. The book contains references to suicide and sexual abuse.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Reviews of Julian Barnes's The Sense of an Ending commend its concise and thought-provoking exploration of memory and regret. Critics appreciate its insightful prose and compelling narrative. However, some find the plot slow and the characters underdeveloped. Overall, it garners praise for its deep thematic elements but may not captivate all readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sense of an Ending?

A reader who enjoys contemplative, character-driven narratives and themes of memory, regret, and the passage of time will appreciate The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. Ideal for fans of Ian McEwan's Atonement or Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day, this book offers deep introspection and thought-provoking prose.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Psychological Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

British Literature

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Relationships: Friendship

Emotions/Behavior: Regret

Period

Post Modernism

Topics

Relationships