The Sense of an Ending

The Sense of an Ending
By Julian Barnes
Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. 163 pgs. Fiction

Tony Webster’s life is mostly behind him. It’s been a good life with moderate success in his professional endeavors, a failed marriage that produced both a beautiful daughter and an amicable relationship with his ex-wife, and a content sense of peace as he enters his retirement. An unexpected bequeath from a college girlfriend’s mother, a woman he only met once, stirs up memories and mysteries from his past. Events from his youth begin to monopolize his thoughts and, as he investigates unanswered questions, he discovers that his own memories may be the biggest lies of all.

‘The Sense of an Ending’ is a self-reflective novel and if it were any longer, its narration could have begun to drag. However, Barnes’ writing flows admirably and he kept his story short and focused. The reader travels with Tony through his recollections and his current discoveries as he uncovers the truth to a childhood friend’s suicide. This is a beautifully written novel about perspective and perception; about the history we create for ourselves and the history which actually occurred.

CZ