David
I first read this book when I was around 16. It left a deep impression on me at the time and in many ways has coloured my approach to reading literature ever since. The chapter on Emma Bovary’s eyes in particular. It also confirmed me as a lifelong Julian Barnes fan.
Reading it again more than 35 years later, I’m affected by it once more. There was, as you’d expect, much I didn’t remember about it so it was largely as enjoyable as if reading it for the first time. And being older and if not wiser, at least a lot more experienced, I’m sure I brought a very different perspective to reading it this time - not least in my response to the narrator’s own life story.
It’s still wonderful. This is a book with much to say, but says it with a light touch. It’s funny, erudite, poignant, and profoundly insightful but doesn’t feel at all didactic. Barnes writes with such grace that it’s a pure pleasure to read.
I first read this book when I was around 16. It left a deep impression on me at the time and in many ways has coloured my approach to reading literature ever since. The chapter on Emma Bovary’s eyes in particular. It also confirmed me as a lifelong Julian Barnes fan.
Reading it again more than 35 years later, I’m affected by it once more. There was, as you’d expect, much I didn’t remember about it so it was largely as enjoyable as if reading it for the first time. And being older and if not wiser, at least a lot more experienced, I’m sure I brought a very different perspective to reading it this time - not least in my response to the narrator’s own life story.
It’s still wonderful. This is a book with much to say, but says it with a light touch. It’s funny, erudite, poignant, and profoundly insightful but doesn’t feel at all didactic. Barnes writes with such grace that it’s a pure pleasure to read.
Having read the sequel before reading this, I already knew what an awful bunch of people the main characters were. I liked this better than One Of Us though. Maybe because of what happens at the party - and that it involves Lucy, the one sympathetic character in the story (who doesn’t appear in the sequel). I didn’t hate the writing as much - it’s just ordinary, not especially bad, a bit verbose but readable enough. The story is well structured enough to be engaging. I can’t tell if it’s quite predictable or if it’s because I’ve read the sequel so knew more or less how it would end. Probably won’t bother seeking out any more by this author.
Having read the sequel before reading this, I already knew what an awful bunch of people the main characters were. I liked this better than One Of Us though. Maybe because of what happens at the party - and that it involves Lucy, the one sympathetic character in the story (who doesn’t appear in the sequel). I didn’t hate the writing as much - it’s just ordinary, not especially bad, a bit verbose but readable enough. The story is well structured enough to be engaging. I can’t tell if it’s quite predictable or if it’s because I’ve read the sequel so knew more or less how it would end. Probably won’t bother seeking out any more by this author.
Added to listOwnedwith 4 books.
