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lokroma's review against another edition
3.0
A 19 year old young man and his 48 year old married tennis partner begin a long term relationship, that ends with her alcoholism and dementia. The narrator's life is permanently impacted by the affair, and he spends lots of time ruminating on life and love.
This was a reread, and this time the book felt like a treatise on love rather than a novel. Despite Barnes' wise and insightful thoughts, and beautiful writing, I wanted the ideas to play out in the story, rather than in the narrator's head.
This was a reread, and this time the book felt like a treatise on love rather than a novel. Despite Barnes' wise and insightful thoughts, and beautiful writing, I wanted the ideas to play out in the story, rather than in the narrator's head.
bianca89279's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up
I declared 2017 the Julian Barnes year on account of reading and loving seven of his books.
The Sense of An Ending, while it is one of his most popular books, was my least favourite novel of his. The Only Story is somewhat similar to that one, as it has an older narrator, Paul, reminiscing about his nineteen-year-old self in the 1960s and his first love and relationship with Susan, a woman twenty-nine years his senior. You read that right. Honestly, I didn't have any qualms about that, I read books about younger men being seduced by older women before.
I would rather be outraged than bored. And oh my, it pains me to say this, but The Only Story was tedious, repetitive and I had to force myself to get back to reading it.
I don't know about you, but when I read about something taboo, forbidden, especially a risky love affair, I expect passion, animal attraction, a sense of inevitability and urgency. Even in the beginning of the relationship, there wasn't much fire. It was all so dry and passionless. It was all very proper without actually being proper. Why was Paul so taken with Susan? I couldn't tell you.
While the relationship lasts much longer than expected, unfortunately, it takes a very sad turn, as Susan becomes an alcoholic. That was painful to read about. At least, I felt something. I was even more annoyed with Paul and heartbroken for Susan.
As for the writing, there were a few paragraphs worth highlighting, especially in the beginning, but it became repetitive and drawn out. The shifts from the first-person narration, to second and then to third and again back to first were jarring.
Ultimately, I just didn't feel much about the characters and the writing wasn't outstanding to make up for the lack of a gripping story.
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for allowing me to read this novel.
I declared 2017 the Julian Barnes year on account of reading and loving seven of his books.
The Sense of An Ending, while it is one of his most popular books, was my least favourite novel of his. The Only Story is somewhat similar to that one, as it has an older narrator, Paul, reminiscing about his nineteen-year-old self in the 1960s and his first love and relationship with Susan, a woman twenty-nine years his senior. You read that right. Honestly, I didn't have any qualms about that, I read books about younger men being seduced by older women before.
I would rather be outraged than bored. And oh my, it pains me to say this, but The Only Story was tedious, repetitive and I had to force myself to get back to reading it.
I don't know about you, but when I read about something taboo, forbidden, especially a risky love affair, I expect passion, animal attraction, a sense of inevitability and urgency. Even in the beginning of the relationship, there wasn't much fire. It was all so dry and passionless. It was all very proper without actually being proper. Why was Paul so taken with Susan? I couldn't tell you.
While the relationship lasts much longer than expected, unfortunately, it takes a very sad turn, as Susan becomes an alcoholic. That was painful to read about. At least, I felt something. I was even more annoyed with Paul and heartbroken for Susan.
As for the writing, there were a few paragraphs worth highlighting, especially in the beginning, but it became repetitive and drawn out. The shifts from the first-person narration, to second and then to third and again back to first were jarring.
Ultimately, I just didn't feel much about the characters and the writing wasn't outstanding to make up for the lack of a gripping story.
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for allowing me to read this novel.
hebo1987's review against another edition
5.0
Heartwarming and heartbreaking beautifully well-written novel. Absolutely loved it.
jennie_cole's review against another edition
2.0
Very similar to Sense of an Ending. I think if you liked that book you would probably like this one and if you didn't like it you won't like this one.
adriancurcher's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't really excited me. Definitely better than the noise of time which bored me to death. Well written and has some interesting ideas in it but generally didn't really move me at all. Always have high expectations for Julian Barnes and lately he very rarely meets them.
carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story about first and last love. About what it is like to love someone so deeply that you cannot let them go, even at a risk to your own heart.I just loved this book.
pammoore's review against another edition
4.0
I think I would have given it five stars except it dragged in the second half. The writing was beautiful and the characters were well developed although I would have liked to see more depth in the relationship between Casey and his parents. If you're in the mood for a heart-wrenching love story this is your book. It explores the questions of what love is and what it means to be an adult.
steveurick's review against another edition
3.0
I expected so much more, after having been devastated (I know people use that word too much) by The Sense of an Ending. I would give part one five stars, part two four stars and part three three stars. Like the protagonist's life the novel just kind of peters out.