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Fionnuala's Reviews > The Sense of an Ending
The Sense of an Ending
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Reviewed in January, 2012
One of the things I admire about Barnes is the pared down nature of his writing. Every word counts.
The division of this novella into two parts also counts. The reader could start with Part Two and the book wouldn't be any less clear. In fact, possible answers to most of the questions raised at the end of the book can be found on rereading Part One. More enlightenment comes while rereading Part Two.
(The following paragraph may contain spoilers)
As to the possible answers to the questions raised in Part Two: the mathematical solution referred to on page 14, he, (Robson) being about to cause an increase of one in the human population, had decided it was his ethical duty to keep the planet's numbers constant may supply a reason for Adrian's later suicide in addition to his own stated belief that since we don't ask to be born, we ought at least to be allowed to choose when to die.
Suicide, and Robson's suicide in particular, preoccupied Adrian from early in the book. His use of the details of Robson's death as an example of the unreliability of history sums up Barnes entire theme, i.e., the dependance of history on the imperfections of memory and the inadequacies of documentation, as well as the personal baggage of the historian.
The reliability of Tony Webster's account, and of the entire story, are beset by these difficulties. Tony frequently acknowledges his imperfect memory, he possesses only a fragment of Adrian's diary, and Barnes ensures that we are well aware of Tony's personal baggage.
So there can only be the sense of an ending, and great unrest in the mind of the reader because of the accumulation of responsibility.
We are left with the unanswerable question: is Tony the equivalent of the Serbian gunman mentioned in the early pages? Is Tony the trigger for all the tragedy?
One of the things I admire about Barnes is the pared down nature of his writing. Every word counts.
The division of this novella into two parts also counts. The reader could start with Part Two and the book wouldn't be any less clear. In fact, possible answers to most of the questions raised at the end of the book can be found on rereading Part One. More enlightenment comes while rereading Part Two.
(The following paragraph may contain spoilers)
As to the possible answers to the questions raised in Part Two: the mathematical solution referred to on page 14, he, (Robson) being about to cause an increase of one in the human population, had decided it was his ethical duty to keep the planet's numbers constant may supply a reason for Adrian's later suicide in addition to his own stated belief that since we don't ask to be born, we ought at least to be allowed to choose when to die.
Suicide, and Robson's suicide in particular, preoccupied Adrian from early in the book. His use of the details of Robson's death as an example of the unreliability of history sums up Barnes entire theme, i.e., the dependance of history on the imperfections of memory and the inadequacies of documentation, as well as the personal baggage of the historian.
The reliability of Tony Webster's account, and of the entire story, are beset by these difficulties. Tony frequently acknowledges his imperfect memory, he possesses only a fragment of Adrian's diary, and Barnes ensures that we are well aware of Tony's personal baggage.
So there can only be the sense of an ending, and great unrest in the mind of the reader because of the accumulation of responsibility.
We are left with the unanswerable question: is Tony the equivalent of the Serbian gunman mentioned in the early pages? Is Tony the trigger for all the tragedy?
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Reading Progress
January 14, 2012
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Started Reading
January 16, 2012
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Finished Reading
January 17, 2012
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Robertmadly
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Mar 25, 2012 12:01AM
I think the Serbian Gunman himself, ie, Gavrilo Princip, made a dramatic action but he was influenced by so much around him, just as Tony, too, was under the influence of the social mores of his time, and, even more so, by the meet-up with a slightly deranged family, meaning Veronica's...what kind of mother was hers, to have an affair her daughter's boyfriend, and to send money to her first? And what did she do with him when they were alone in the kitchen?
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Yes, I think this is simply about history and how memory and subjectivity distort it. As to Tony’s role in the events of the story, Barnes allows that he may have acted as a trigger (the vindictive letter) just as the Serbian gunman did, but he also allows that those events might have happened anyway. There were other participants involved, with their own motives, just as in WWI. From the few telling details we are given about Sarah, we know she was quite capable of seducing Adrian without any help from Tony. Similarly with Veronica; the portrait Barnes paints of her doesn’t incline us to think that she could have kept such a metaphysical soul as Adrian rooted on this earth for long. As usual with Tony, it is what he didn’t do that wreaks most havoc: by not staying with Veronica, the events were allowed to happen. We are left to puzzle the conundrum of cause and effect, the history that shapes history.
Thinking about this book again in relation to Xavier Marías and his latest book Los enamoramientos or The Infatuations. What I've gathered so far about Marías' new book makes me wonder if it doesn't raise similar questions about the reliability of memory. This is a quote from Marías: And I could not help considering from a hundred different angles (or perhaps it was only ten angles repeated over and over) what Díaz-Verela had told me, his two versions, if they were two versions, and pondering details that had remained unclear in both, for there is no story, whether real or invented, without blind spots or contradictions or obscurities or mistakes, and in that respect—that of the darkness that surrounds and encircles any narrative—it didn’t really matter which was which. I find the parallels interesting.
Fionnuala, you have nailed what I like about Barnes writing.the pared down nature of his writing. Every word counts.
Exactly. I am fortunate in that that I have not read this book yet...
One more book to look forward to.
Fantastic review, Fionnuala. Your paragraph about memory reminded me of Marias, so I was really glad to see msg 3 haha. I really appreciate when an author layers so much meaning into memory and the act of telling; first person narration becomes such a fascinating thing. Great review though, I really need to check this one out. I am definitely sold now!
Kalliope, Spenk, it makes me happy to think that you both have this treat in store. I look forward to discussing it with you when you get to it.
"...is Tony the equivalent of the Serbian gunman mentioned in the early pages? Is Tony the trigger for all the tragedy?"Nice point. And don't forget: in those same early pages, he forgets that guy's name.
Nick wrote: "Fionnuala wrote:"...is Tony the equivalent of the Serbian gunman mentioned in the early pages? Is Tony the trigger for all the tragedy?" Nice point. And don't forget: in those same early pages, he forgets that guy's name"
Sorry for ignoring your comment, Nick - just never saw it until now.
Yes, you are right, forgetting is more significant than remembering in this account. We interpret what we think we remember but we may have actually forgotten most of the detail and so we fabricate some of it instead which underlines just how unreliable all memory is because there's no way to tell what's real and what's fabricated, what's remembered for the purposes of our own unspoken agendas and what's deliberately forgotten for the same reason.
Barnes really got me thinking with this book, and, ironically, I don't think I'll ever forget it...
I hadn't considered reading the two parts in the reverse order, but it's an interesting idea. I completely agree about the unreliability and subjectivity of memory being the key. Anyone wanting to do a study of unreliable narrators should definitely include this in their reading.
You are right, Tony is the ultimate unreliable narrator. I still think about this book - and often reference it when I'm commenting on other books - so well done.
Every word counts.That is probably the best way to describe Barnes's writing. I loved this book for the erratic story but more for the writing style; I felt it was droll and refreshing.
Whether Tony was the trigger, I think no...I wouldn't blame his ridiculous letter for the later events but yes, I feel that was fate's way to punish his temperamental behavior.
Soumen wrote: "Every word counts.That is probably the best way to describe Barnes's writing. I loved this book for the erratic story but more for the writing style; I felt it was droll and refreshing.
Whether T..."
Your comment has offered me an opportunity to reread this review, Soumen, and to edit the spelling mistakes and add some HTML which I was happily unaware of back in 2012!
About Tony and whether he was the trigger for it all, I'm afraid I've forgotten the details but I see that in comment #2 I recognize that, as in WW1, there were many factors involved. As to fate,...i have no guesses!
Louisa wrote: "Absolutely and wonderfully put Fionnuala! It is exactly how I feel about his writing. I didn't enjoy this book as much I did: Flaubert's Parrot . But your review has inspired me to read it again. ."It seems to me now that I wrote this review in a very 'pared-down' fashion, Louisa, so I'm relieved you liked it - I was clearly a little influenced by Barnes' style!
I agree with Kalliope. I love Barnes' writing style for that very reason - every word counts. With all the questions it raises about the subjective nature and reliability of memory, the book kept me thinking for weeks after I finished it. Great review!
Arnie wrote: "...With all the questions it raises about the subjective nature and reliability of memory, the book kept me thinking for weeks..."Me too, Arnie, it was unlike anything I'd ever read before in the way it preoccupied me afterwards. I was so pleased it won the Booker Prize - it restored my faith in how literary prizes are awarded.
You get to the nub of this story so well, Fionnuala -- much more reliably than Tony (or for that matter, me). Fabulous job, as always!
Steve wrote: "You get to the nub of this story so well, Fionnuala -- much more reliably than Tony (or for that matter, me). Fabulous job, as always!"You get the prize for being the ultimate unreliable reviewer of this book, Steve.
Did any of your readers spot that - or had you so successfully camouflaged your intent that it became buried under the accumulations of despair and regret caused by your first paragraph ;-)
It seems my reputation for unreliability preceded me, at least among those who've known me awhile. That said, I don't think I was silly enough (for a change) for my little prank to be seen for what it was by anyone else. Thanks for presuming any amount of regret over my departure, though. Even if I had officially left, I would still have sneaked peeks at your reviews. :-)
Steve wrote: "It seems my reputation for unreliability preceded me, at least among those who've known me awhile. That said, I don't think I was silly enough (for a change) for my little prank to be seen for what it was by anyone else..."To paraphrase Samuel Beckett, Steve, next year, fool again, fool better ;-)
Apparently Barnes wrote negative reviews of his first couple of books to defuse negative critcism
Jan-Maat wrote: "Apparently Barnes wrote negative reviews of his first couple of books to defuse negative critcism"Sounds like he'd read the Flann O'Brien handbook on contradicting yourself pseudonymously ;-)
Lada wrote: "Beautiful, very beautiful review. Nthing is certain with words...or our memory"That is exactly what Barnes is saying, Lada - I'm glad that message came through in the review. Thanks for commenting and giving this review another day out ;-)
So glad I found this review today! I had my doubts but ended up buying this book anyway. It's nice to take a peek at Barnes' writing through your eyes. Memory is always a fascinating theme.
The dilemmas in this book have stayed with me very vividly , Florencia - I think that says a lot about the precision with which Barnes developed his themes. He's like a surgeon.
I've yet to read Barnes however your review has prompted me to try this one out, seems an interesting read.
Gaurav wrote: "I've yet to read Barnes however your review has prompted me to try this one out, seems an interesting read."The notification system seems to have been particularly unreliable with regard to this review, Gaurav! Sorry for not seeing your comment till now. I hope you do read this book. Although it's five years since I read it, I remember it vividly, and I sometimes find myself thinking about the dilemmas it raised. The books that carve out such a definitive spot in my memory are rare enough.
“Every word counts�, you have said it so well, Fionnuala. That’s why I love Julian Barnes writing.
Paula wrote: "“Every word counts�, you have said it so well, Fionnuala. That’s why I love Julian Barnes writing."Thanks, Paula. I see you enjoyed this book a lot too!
Words weigh on their readers to the extant that every historian or reader are caught up prisoners of the text (,un)intentionally No words arebredintant,not even repetitions
" the math solution referred to on page 14 ,being about to cause an increase of one in the human population, had decided it was his ethical duty to keep the planet's numbers constant may supply a reason for Adrian's later suicide in addition to his own stated belief that since we don't ask to be born, we ought at least to be allowed to choose when to die ".Waw..)))
Doris wrote: "Words weigh on their readers to the extant that every historian or reader are caught up prisoners of the text (,un)intentionally No words arebredintant,not even repetitions"To use the carpet analogy again, doesn't every word have a purpose in making the text hang together and don't repetitions help us to find 'the figure in the carpet'�
Theodor wrote: "" the math solution referred to on page 14 ,being about to cause an increase of one in the human population, had decided it was his ethical duty to keep the planet's numbers constant may supply a r..."You've been reading Barnes so you know how detailed he can be about every aspect of death:-)
I will think long and hard about your stated unanswerable questions. I loved this book and after reading your fine review, I want to reread it. (No one in my book club liked it. Many hated it).
Now that I've been reminded of this 2011 book, Barbara, I may reread it myself. Like you, I read it with a bookgroup, and there was quite a bit of discussion in the group not only about the issues that Barnes raised but about whether it was good enough to win the Booker Prize. I was cheering it, needless to say!
I've wanted to read this but someone's GR review spoiled it thoroughly. The pared-down writing, the cleverness and concepts he packed into Flaubert's Parrot made it in an instant favorite. I've got The Man in the Red Suit and want to read all of him. Your review makes me wonder if I don't need to close the book on this? which many consider his best?
Would you believe that this was one of the first books I reviewed on goodreads, Lori, and that it was via other people's reviews of it that I started commenting and made my first goodreads friends? It seems so long ago.I wouldn't worry too much about spoilers in this book, by the way. It's less about 'story' and more about 'memory' in general, and how we process it. It is also about how history gets written—the role of documentation (and how complete and accurate it is) but also the historian's own life experience playing a role in the resulting account perhaps. All of that in a very short enigmatic book. Not to be missed.
Fionnuala wrote: "Would you believe that this was one of the first books I reviewed on goodreads, Lori, and that it was via other people's reviews of it that I started commenting and made my first goodreads friends?..."True to form I just posted the wrong response here, the one to your wonderful comment on B&P, without noticing this is not that book. For once I'm glad The Overlords have removed the content of notifications.
Thank you so much for letting me know. I'm Booked through the rest of the year, plan to read him and Amor Towles first part of '22 and very glad I don't have to miss this book that is not to be missed.
You are a revelation. Thank you for sharing about your intro to goodreads. Hard to imagine it existed without you. Last week someone 'liked' a review that contains what may be my first comment, from July 2019. It was incoherent and odd, i.e. I have not changed much. 😘
"We are left with the unanswerable question: is Tony the equivalent of the Serbian gunman mentioned in the early pages? Is Tony the trigger for all the tragedy?"I have a definite opinion here. One of the many questions discussed with my buddy about this book.
I think this is one that will stay strong and present for quite a while.
It provoked an exploration of my own memories and a reminder that they are only one view of events/situations.
Lisa wrote: "It provoked an exploration of my own memories and a reminder that they are only one view of events/situations..."It was a great example of exactly that point, Lisa—that we have very imperfect memories, that we are very fallible.
I’ve just finished this. Feeling a bit like this is a book best read more than once and feeling like I’m missing something important. Enjoyed your thoughtful review!
Good intuition, Ally. I got a lot from re-reading the first half.
