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oliviadobrea's review against another edition
4.0
Very good and interesting writing on different amazing authors that maybe are not that popular.
kimswhims's review against another edition
4.0
A really well narrated set of witty essays with an entertaining short story tossed in for good measure. All centre around a literary theme and tend to talk about one particular author. Each essay takes a tangential approach to the author's life and work. Many of the authors were unknown to me. Many are French or spent time in France. Rudyard Kipling, for example, spent quite a bit of time in France after his son was killed in WWI. He kept a detailed journal of that time, he was inspecting war cemeteries to ensure their upkeep. Gives an insight to the man and his later work.
The short story centres around a creative writing teacher and his adult students, reminded me a lot of Brian Bilston's poetry in the Pub in "Diary of a Somebody" (listened to that on audio earlier in the year, another I'd recommend).
Looking forward to reading one of Julian Barnes' novels, hopefully later in the year.
The short story centres around a creative writing teacher and his adult students, reminded me a lot of Brian Bilston's poetry in the Pub in "Diary of a Somebody" (listened to that on audio earlier in the year, another I'd recommend).
Looking forward to reading one of Julian Barnes' novels, hopefully later in the year.
fluentinsilence's review against another edition
4.0
"Als je een goed boek leest, ontsnap je niet aan het leven, je stort je er juist dieper in. Er kan sprake zijn van een oppervlakkige ontsnapping – in verschillende landen, mores, spraakpatronen – maar wat je in wezen doet is je begrip versterken van de subtiliteiten, paradoxen, vreugde, pijn en waarheden van het leven. Leven en lezen zijn geen onderscheiden maar symbiotische waarden."
meer: http://winterlief.blogspot.nl/2013/01/gelezen-10.html
meer: http://winterlief.blogspot.nl/2013/01/gelezen-10.html
mugren's review against another edition
1.0
It seems to be a bunch of obscure reviews of books, the majority of which I have never heard of. With that said, I still found the writing to be dull and tiresome. I should've looked into the book more before buying it.
paperbookmarks's review
4.0
This book captivated my from the moment I opened it. I've never read anything by Barnes before, though I've heard good things, and he did not disappoint. THROUGH THE WINDOW is the perfect mix of exploration, analysis, personal insight and creativity. I think the reason TTW captivated me so much was that he really understood and contemplated the reader/writer relationship; it was a pleasure to read.
miam's review
4.0
With only a few exceptions, I haven't read the writers Julian Barnes discusses here but he makes them fascinating, distinct, and representative of deeper human truths. And the one short story (a tribute to Hemingway) reminded me just how much I loved The Sense of an Ending.
tsutrav's review
4.0
Barnes is always a joy to read. In the opening essay about life with books you’ll find a kindred spirit. And if Ford Maddox Ford or Kipling are your jam, you’ll certainly want to read the essays on them.
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