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Solid so-so on this one. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't exactly like it either. This slim novel felt deceivingly long, and at times pleasantly dull. This book feels like it's aiming for deep existentialism, but I just wasn't all that moved by it.

When an insecure character wrongs someone and then tries desperately to get back in their good graces, they usually end up making things even worse in the process. Usually, this is played for comedy, but the Barnes' version is several shades darker and speaks to how easily consciousness makes us the hero of a story vis-à-vis gaps or distortions in our memory. Lots of moral ambiguity arranged in short, crisp sentences that still pull their weight.

Extremely well written, quick read with much to consider on memory and the fragility of life. I‘m still not sure which of two competing interpretations of the book‘s ending I think “actually happened” - if anyone out there wants to discuss, I‘m so curious to hear other opinions!

Have you ever read a book and didn't like it much the whole way through until you finish and realize you liked it after all?? This is what happened with this book that contains a mind-bending twist at the finish. With only 162 pages, Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending a featherweight in terms of pages but don't let this novel fool you. The novel packs a big punch even after you've turned the last page.

It‘s unusual to read a book about a truly unremarkable man - not neurotic, nor insightful, nor charming, nor….anything really - just a man of a certain age. When Julian Barnes narrates the thoughts and memories or his main character, Tony Webster, he is so remarkably, unremarkable. The book touches on deep, philosophical themes of memory and one‘s sense of self but does so through the story of a regular - mostly self-involved and clueless - guy.

I request these two books from my library and have no clue why lol 😂. I have to for a buddy read or book club but don‘t remember for what . Anyone know?

A very touching story of growing up and growing old

I think I liked this one?

I certainly loved the writing style, but I‘m not sure how I feel about the ending. I don‘t suppose it matters though, as long as I enjoyed everything that led up to it.

Book 21 of 2021; short, crisp, thought-provoking; part philosophical, part mystery. Great quotes throughout!

Until page 148 I thought it as a book about love. 🙄 I was completely wrong. 😔

Third quarter of #Booked2020 in the bag!
1. Tartan Noir- The Lewis Man
2. Eccentric MC- Cherie
3. YA Novel by a POC- Long Way Down
4. Set in India- Shantaram
5. #bookclubworthy- Sense of an Ending
6. New in 2020- My Dark Vanessa

A meditation on memory and the tricks of the mind, as memories are powerfully influenced by feelings, they don‘t accurately reflect what actually happened; unexpected ending of the story

These words, like a knife, just cut deep 🙏

Sometimes it is worth not knowing anything about a book. I randomly picked this slim novel (150 pages) on my ever burgeoning piles without any idea or hint what is it about. You have history, cleverness, memory, remorse, sense of time or what it really meant, guilt, responsibility, and that striking notion that "what you end up remembering isn't always the same as what you have witnessed." The Sense of an Ending is a masterpiece as it should be!?

#FoodOnCover #MagicalMay
@Eggs

I can‘t ‘explain‘ this book...there‘s a reminder of the philosophical and existential crisis we face as we get older and the resurgence of incriminating memory as we reflect upon our youth and it‘s misunderstanding of the broader prospect of the world as we knew it then versus how it truly occurred. At the same time, I‘m left perplexed at the meaning of it all and a very real and terrifying hollowness at the sense of an ending, that is in death.

Staring at it is a different addiction...

Why is there an egg on this book cover? I have no idea. Another book on my TBR. #eggs #BloomingBibliophiles

👍

I needed this book. It had been a while since anything moved me and this one managed to get under my skin. I wanted to kick the protag from time to time, but that made it none-the-less enjoyable. Definitely a thumbs up.

Some books acquire strong associations for me. Curtis Sittenfeld's Sisterland evokes a time share near Traverse City, Michigan. Steinbeck's Cannery Row, a cool bus window on a Greyhound bound for San Francisco. Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending, Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles, and Sonali Deraniyagala's Wave take me to the mountains of northern Spain in autumn.

I'm curious: What books carry strong associations for you?

#MOvember #IllRemember Another one I need to get to ! Almost the end of the month... feeling emotional here Cindy &
Everyone ... I‘ll remember all the chats & laughs & serious thoughtful posts that have been part of this particular Litsy journey.... 👍🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

"Sense of an Ending" by Barnes, though started for me as an interesting read tickled down at some point. Maybe it was the narrative, or the long dragging way of presenting a story, it really didn't turn out to be as good as I had expected it be. Although some parts of the book had me highlighting lines some parts simply begged to be skipped. Yet, Barnes as an author has an impeccable way of moulding images that remain within the readers mind.

#BFCR4 Final Check In. This round I mostly did well. I met my reading goals and baked several healthy recipes. I started a weight loss program. I worked on myself. But this last week really fell through the cracks. We got a bunch of snow (the above picture is a romantic view of snow - in reality, Ottawa is currently a slushy grimy mess), and I got sick so I had to skip out on my fitness classes. Sadly, I felt that I ended on a really sour note.

This was a book club read. Meh. While I can see some merit in the message behind the writing, the narrative itself bored me to tears. The writing was okay, but seemed pompous and condescending...a reflection of the nature of the protagonist, but still really annoying & obnoxious to read. This absolutely would have been a DNF for me if not for book club. I will never understand how this won the Man Booker--there are so many better books out there.

The book next in my reading list is "The sense of an ending".

Currently just in love with the way it looks, smells, the texture of its pages.

Have any of you already read it? How was it?

One from my TBR pile, that I feel could have a lot of #regret in it

#SoulSeptember @Eggs

A proper bit of highbrow literature this. Pretty short and interesting. It gets quite intriguing halfway through and ends well.

Hmmm
This book was kind of interesting at first but then became very predictable. Sometimes it was engaging then it would verge to dull. A very so so book. And the more I think about the more I thought it was kind of dumb?

This is a book about memory, meaning, and our common responsibility to one another.

These subjects usually fascinate me, but this book is

Incredibly. Dull.

My sense was that I couldn‘t wait for its ending.

Book #18

Cindy - do we just make our own sense of the ending 🤷‍♀️ I had a feeling it would be something like that, but still can‘t make my mind up!!

Book Club ready!

This book was phenomenal. It takes a re-read (very doable at 163 pages) for the full effect and every sentence is deliberate and satisfying. Memory and time and death and responsibility and guilt and remorse. I got hints of The Secret History as I read, too. Big questions await you if you pick this up: Is suicide the only philosophical question!? What is history? What should we take responsibility for? Ah! So good.

Wait, WHAT?!? Send help!!! That ending!!!! Oh God, so many theories....is that the point of this slim book about memory, perception, stories/lies we tell ourselves. Do we ever know the whole story?! Tony, the narrator is recalling a certain time in his life (part 1) In part 2, past events effect present day, but can Tony‘s truth be accepted as actual truth. Does the film leave you with the same sense of uncertainty?!?

Despite its size this book still leaves plenty of food for thought. #1001books #tbrchallenge2019

So happy to be home 😍! Salad and my new book club pick today as I prepare for school starting up again tomorrow.

I am working on intention lists of “more of” and “less of” for 2019. So far, some things in the “more of” column: reading, cooking + plating beautiful food (mostly vegetables!), self-care and self-compassion, working out, and writing. In the “less of” column I have things like self-doubt, mindless internet usage, and over-scheduling.

Not something I'd usually read, but finished this in the span of a day and I have to say it was quite a good book.

Excellent novel that begs to be read in one sitting. One of my favourite reads this year.

#Adventrecommends Day 5
#Favourites
#1001books

📚The Sense of an Ending 📚Richard Scarry 🎬 Schindler‘s List 🍵soup #manicmonday #letters

This was okay - I think appreciated what he was trying to do more than the book itself. I‘m interested in the themes of memory and how we remember things and justify the past to ourselves, and the history boys-esque beginning, but I‘m a bit sick of books about pretentious men learning about themselves through failing to understand women. The ending didn‘t mean much to me, I had to look it up on Wikipedia as I thought I‘d missed something.

This should be quite a quick read that I‘ve been hoping to get around to for ages for #1001books

Hope it‘s good!

Hi Lauren, This is way too generous.... thankyou ! I love the cards & the bookmark ❤️. I really want to read this ... I just read your review & it will be interesting to compare notes. Thankyou , I hope the wedding preparations are going well ...what to wear will be a big one 😊. I know it can be stressful too , but it‘s happy days 😘 Cathy XX

Although I did enjoy this book, it was engaging and I enjoyed the philosophical aspects, I found myself wanting something more at the end of it. It was very cut and dry, with no real show of emotion. I have read some hard hitting fiction this year (and am currently) so maybe it's because of that that I don't feel as connected to this one. Still a good solid read, 3🌟
(Just noticed they made a film too, may watch it!)

Been so sporadic with my posts that I haven't mentioned I'm also in the progress of reading this. It's actually reminding me a bit of A Little Life, but nowhere near as gripping and immersive, which makes me wonder why this won The Man Booker Prize in 2011 and A Little Life didn't in 2015.

DISCLAIMER: I really enjoyed this one and gave it a high rating because it's narratively flawless and has a shocking TWIST. However, UGH, I couldn't deal with the narrator. Maybe saying he's a #stupidman is too much, but he's definitely too whiny about his past and about women. Think straight (veeeeeery straight), white, 50+, male. STILL LOVED IT THOUGH. I don't think I sound very convincing 😂

#SeptemberDanes @Kalalalatja @Cinfhen

Today Tony told me that I really couldn't visit London without seeing some of the amasing museums this city has to offer. So we went to The Natural History museum. I mean, just the building was worth the visit, it's stunning! I also got to see fossils, try an earthquake simulator and came face-to-face with animatronic dinosaurus. Excellent! We might just visit another tomorrow as well.

#BackpackEurope
#1001Books
#England 🇬🇧

Of suppressed memories and #subconscious , this book offers an insight into the questions of ageing and memory. Barnes excels in this. 👍
#AugustIsATrip