by Alfonso Castillo III

The Sense of an Ending

Author: Julian Barnes

This novel was the first time I had read or even really heard of Julian Barnes. It is a work of fiction and marvelously written. The imagery and language is true to the way a human mind works. He draws you into this one place in time that has already passed for “Tony” (our narrator). Then he brings you up to speed with all that has happened to our narrator in life, yet, only touching on the major events (work, marriages, births, etc.). The novel begins with the British equivalent of high school and is focused on a group of friends all whom are very intelligent and what may be said a bit “nerdy.” The book captures the behind the scenes life of adolescent teens dealing with, life in school, their future hopes, friendship, and yes girls (or the lack thereof). The Library of Congress has it catalogued it under a few different headings, but the ones which I feel describe it most are: Life Changing Events, Male Friendship, and Psychological Fiction. These capture the true nature of the book.

Tony is the narrator and main character and is dealing with his life after a certain event shakes his small quaint life. Tony is a character described as letting life happen to him and not living life or experiencing it. There are moments in the book in which a major event is unfolding and the author chooses to break the seriousness with a light-hearted look into the narrator’s brain, just as it would happen if your mind got quickly side tracked. This intimate look at a man’s psyche adds that touch of realism that captivates the reader. I read the book in two sittings. The book is a quick read and its substance is captivating. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a great read.