Alice D. (writereditor) reviewed The Sense of an Ending (Vintage International) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Read this for my book club and it sparked a lot of discussion. While some (like me) really liked it, others did not, but that didn't diminish the discussion. Isn't that what good literature does....evoke a variety of responses and opinions. This book while short in length and compact in story is full of ideas that deserve discussing.
Helpful Score: 2
A fast, suspenseful read with involving characters that comes together in the last couple of pages. Highly recommended.
Esther F. (txreader361) reviewed The Sense of an Ending (Vintage International) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
My bookclub read this book, and it was interesting to see all the theories and speculation about the characters' motivations that were expressed in the discussion. It can be read in one sitting, but it feels as if you've read a much longer book due to its depth. To me it's like an older person's Catcher in the Rye. I liked it!
Tiffany K. (tiffanyak) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is a difficult book to describe, as I did not like it so much as I respected it. That is to say, the writing and message appealed to me, even as the story was certainly not one that I loved. Basically, it is all about how our memory and the truth of things do not necessarily agree with each other. It is a compelling and honest message, buoyed by strong writing skill, which effectively carried me through to the end even as parts fell a bit flat to me. The main issue is, I suppose, the lack of likability on the part of any of the characters within the narrative. That may not bother you, but I was left wanting to yell at the primary narrator that he was not as great of a guy as he thinks, and the only real redemption granted the reader is that the guy does at least somewhat realize it in the end. If that sounds okay to you, then it's worth checking out.
Christine D. (christylisty) -
Helpful Score: 1
The Sense of an Ending is about the harsh passions of youth and the fog of memory with age. It describes like no other book I have ever read how our memories become wisps of detail, some meaningful and some merely sensory impressions. I read the book in a single sitting, aching, like its protagonist, to resolve the misidentified clues to his life. This book is also profoundly sad. Many people of a certain age will identify with the protagonist's dissatisfaction with having lived an average life. While those who are older will identify with Julian Barnes' masterpiece, it is a book that every young person should read to better understand anger, passions, loss, redemption, and what lies ahead. This book won the Man Booker Prize for very good reasons: beautiful writing, a deep understanding of human nature, and philosophical prowess. It will resonate with readers, philosophers, Dvorak lovers, and those who remember the Moody Blues.
Marta J. (booksnob) reviewed The Sense of an Ending (Vintage International) on + 412 more book reviews
I usually love all Man Booker award winners. I can't say that I loved this as none of the characters are likable. But it had a totally unexpected ending that more than made up for any faults. If you stick it out, you'll be rewarded!
Barnes looks back to a college romance with a privileged woman who was hurtful to him, as was her passive-agressive family's comments. Forty years later after a brillant college friend commits suicide, he reexamines meanings of their encounters colored by emotions and his habit of "never getting (read interpreting) anything right" (words his hurtful girlfriend used who ended up marrying the man who took his own life. The author sensitively speaks as an average Joe, albeit a Brit, looking at failed relationships/marriages, loneliness, and the 40 + years of life events ricocheting off his group of college friends.
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed The Sense of an Ending (Vintage International) on + 989 more book reviews
Beginning-interesting, full of possibilities. Middle-drags on and on, almost lost me. Ending, and I mean the VERY ending a bit of a surprise.
Rebecca K. (gladstonechick) reviewed The Sense of an Ending (Vintage International) on + 34 more book reviews
This was a treat to read. The author's writing style is so different from what I'm used to - it was lyrical, somehow. The ending surprised me. If I didn't have a whole stack of books waiting to be read, I would reread this one. Great book.
This was my first Julian Barnes read. I enjoyed it but the ending left me with the desire for more than 'The Sense of an Ending'- I have read much deeper books with no problems understanding the authours thoughts & meanings. But I must say that this book left me with a bit of confusion. A good read never-the-less. I will be reading more of his works.
Shannon M. (confuzzledbooks) reviewed The Sense of an Ending (Vintage International) on + 486 more book reviews
The Sense Of An Ending follows the parts of the life of Tony Webster. As a teenager, he and his two friends are avid readers and compare there lives to that of books. A new kid comes to school and the group of three become 4. They all go to college. Tony starts to date a woman named Veronica, who later dumps him and starts dating one of his friends. Then Tony who is now divorced, a father and a grandfather contemplates on the way his memory works as he recalls what happened with his life including he time with Veronica and his old friend.
There are many questions and thoughts on examining how a person remembers things. It is a very introspective book, which is usually not a good read for me. I wanted to hate the book but I did not. I did not love it either but I have a loose understanding, especially because I have such problems with my own memory.
I really disliked that we did not get to understand why the mother gave Tony the money and the reason Veronica kept telling Tony he did not get it and would never get it. I wanted to scream âJUST TELL HIM WHAT HE DOESN'T GET!â every time she said it.
I did expect that a book titled The Sense Of An Ending was not going to end in a satisfying way. It was also a short read and maybe not for everyone. I think the older you are when you read this the more you may relate.
There are many questions and thoughts on examining how a person remembers things. It is a very introspective book, which is usually not a good read for me. I wanted to hate the book but I did not. I did not love it either but I have a loose understanding, especially because I have such problems with my own memory.
I really disliked that we did not get to understand why the mother gave Tony the money and the reason Veronica kept telling Tony he did not get it and would never get it. I wanted to scream âJUST TELL HIM WHAT HE DOESN'T GET!â every time she said it.
I did expect that a book titled The Sense Of An Ending was not going to end in a satisfying way. It was also a short read and maybe not for everyone. I think the older you are when you read this the more you may relate.
