Play Book Tag discussion

The Sense of Ending by Julian Barnes - 4 Stars

Tony is a sixty-six year old contemporary character who, after receiving an odd bequest, begins a philosophical reflection on his lost high school friends, his first love, his failed marriage, his strained relationship with his daughter, lost dreams, and embarrassing actions towards one friend in particular.

"For instance, that when we are young and sensitive, we are also at our most hurtful; whereas when the blood begins to slow, when we feel less sharply, when we are more armored and have learnt how to bear hurt, we tread more carefully. "

"I had lost the friends of my youth. I had lost the love of my wife. I had abandoned the abitions I had entertained. I had wanted life not to bother me too much, and had succeeded - and how pitiful that was."

"Sometimes I think the purpose of life is to reconcile us to its eventual loss by wearing us down, by proving, however long it takes, that life isn't all it's cracked up to be."

I found the book intensively thought provoking and poignant. After all, who among us didn't experience hurt in our youth or look back on the dreams of youth and realize we never realized them or simply gave up on them? It is a book I think will resonate with most people for that reason. It is also very well written, which is why I chose to include a few quotes.

It is hard to say I loved the book because it is awfully dark, but I would certainly recommend without hesitancy.

It is a novella and can be read in one sitting.

Very nice review Regina! You made me wander back to my own
youthful "gafs"-Thank you for sharing! It sounds like a great read-I assume it is only e-readable, as it is novella?(most are). I do not read on a device, I love the feel of the book in my hand.

Update-it is available in hard cover and paperback! On to my TBR it goes!

Nice review. I got this book a few years ago but didn’t read it (for no good reason). Now I have a good reason to pick it up thanks to your review. Thx.