In 'The Sense of an Ending,' Julian Barnes explores the complexities of memory and regret through the life of Tony Webster, an average man confronting his past. When he receives an unexpected inheritance, he is forced to revisit a long-buried relationship and the decisions that altered the course of his life. As he pieces together fragmented memories, he discovers how time distorts perceptions and truths. This psychological tale deftly questions the reliability of our recollections and the nature of forgiveness. With haunting revelations, Barnes invites readers to ponder how well we really know ourselves and those we once loved.
By Julian Barnes
Published: 2012
"We live in time - it holds us and moulds us, but we can’t hold it back; we can only look back and hope to understand."
BOOKER PRIZE WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A novel that follows a middle-aged man as he contends with a past he never much thought about—until his closest childhood friends return with a vengeance: one of them from the grave, another maddeningly present. 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. Tony Webster thought he left his past 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.
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“We live in time - it holds us and moulds us, but we can’t hold it back; we can only look back and hope to understand.”
The Sense of an Ending
By Julian Barnes
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Julian Barnes is an acclaimed English author known for his keen insights into the human condition and his innovative narrative techniques. His notable works include the Booker Prize-winning novel 'The Sense of an Ending', 'Arthur & George', and 'The History of the World in 10½ Chapters'. Barnes often employs a blend of fiction with metafiction, historical narrative, and meticulous character study, reflecting his philosophical inquiries into memory and identity. With a career spanning over four decades, he has established himself as a leading figure in contemporary literature.
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