Book Review: The Sense of an Ending
May you be ordinary, as the poet once wished the new-born baby.
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Written around a simple story line, The Sense of an Ending is a first person narrative of an ordinary man's journey along the lanes of his life covered with creepers called imperfect memories.
Retired Tony Webster had lived an average life. He had a career, a single marriage, a daughter and a calm divorce. The first part of the book, sometimes humorous but mostly thoughtful in tone, introduces us to Tony and his three classmates, of whom newcomer Adrian Finn was a surprisingly matured boy of his age, who when asked What is History had once answered History is that certainty produced at the point where the imperfections of memory meet the inadequacies of documentation. Tony later in his life confirms that History isn't the lies of the victors, as I once glibly assured Old Joe Hunt; I know that now. It's more the memories of the survivors, most of whom are neither victorious nor defeated. In college, Tony meets Veronica Ford, falls in love with her … Breaks up. Tony later learns that Adrian had fallen out with her. Tony becomes busy with his own life and family. Adrian Finn commits suicide leaving behind memories of bathwater long gone cold behind a locked door. This wasn't what Tony had actually seen, but what you end up remembering isn't always the same as what you have witnessed. The story twists when a lawyer's letter arrives stating that Veronica’s mother, now dead, had bequeathed Adrian’s diary to Tony as part of her will ...
Retired Tony Webster had lived an average life. He had a career, a single marriage, a daughter and a calm divorce. The first part of the book, sometimes humorous but mostly thoughtful in tone, introduces us to Tony and his three classmates, of whom newcomer Adrian Finn was a surprisingly matured boy of his age, who when asked What is History had once answered History is that certainty produced at the point where the imperfections of memory meet the inadequacies of documentation. Tony later in his life confirms that History isn't the lies of the victors, as I once glibly assured Old Joe Hunt; I know that now. It's more the memories of the survivors, most of whom are neither victorious nor defeated. In college, Tony meets Veronica Ford, falls in love with her … Breaks up. Tony later learns that Adrian had fallen out with her. Tony becomes busy with his own life and family. Adrian Finn commits suicide leaving behind memories of bathwater long gone cold behind a locked door. This wasn't what Tony had actually seen, but what you end up remembering isn't always the same as what you have witnessed. The story twists when a lawyer's letter arrives stating that Veronica’s mother, now dead, had bequeathed Adrian’s diary to Tony as part of her will ...
Tony said It strikes me that this may be one of the differences between youth and age: when we are young, we invent different futures for ourselves; when we are old, we invent different pasts for others. It is this premise of a survivor's memory and algebra of human relations that Julian Barnes explores wonderfully in this book. I do not belong to the group who feel literary fiction should essentially be plot less. Again, I do not expect a very strong plot in a successful literary fiction. What I look for is strength of language, beauty of imagery. I look for the thin line which distinguishes prose from poem getting blurred eventually. Said this, did I enjoy the book? Absolutely ... However, I must admit here that the ending did disappoint me. I feel such a great book deserved a better climax.
To summarize, although written around a very simple and common story line, the premise, the language, the overall experience of witnessing individual memories merging with the philosophy called history was marvelous. Highly recommended for those who enjoy beauty of perfect words. You can buy this book at amazon or at flipkart , in case you live in India. You can also find the lowest price of this book in India at shoppingwish.in
I received this book as a review copy from Random House India. Thank you R for giving me this opportunity.
I received this book as a review copy from Random House India. Thank you R for giving me this opportunity.
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3 Thoughts:
Yes, as we age, our outlook to life - past, present and future, changes! Very apt for today's youth. If you could include the price too, it would be good.
The book definitely deserves the 4.5 you have given.
www.anucreations.blogspot.in , I forgot to sign!!
Thank you Anupama for your feedback.
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