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hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
After a heavy diet of thrillers and romcoms, I felt it was time for something a bit more substantial. This fit the bill but should probably be savored in smaller chunks than gulped down in a couple of days in a sunny garden. Either way, the author is clearly supersmart and I learned a lot, had my thoughts provoked, and looked up lots of words and people.
Neil, an actor in his thirties, takes a class called Civilization and Culture taught by the unorthodox Elizabeth Finch. Neil and the rest of the class, he believes, have their minds expanded by the discussions EF opens up for them. Long after the class concludes, Neil continues these discussions over lunch with EF right up till her death. When he finds out from her brother that EF has left him her library and notebooks, Neil feels she has set him a task.
There seem to be two crucial learnings from EF’s class: the death of Julian the Apostate (who he? Don’t worry, you’ll find out) as a pivotal point in human history; and Epictetus’s philosophy that “There are things you can control and things you can’t control. Once you accept that, you will find happiness.”
The second section of the book is Neil’s essay about the aforementioned Julian. Neil has been called “The King of Unfinished Projects” and he is determined not to succumb to that fault, though, as the reader, we realize he does. There is a brief history of Julian’s life and then the multiple interpretations of his position in history since his death in 363 AD as well as all the speculation about what would have happened if he hadn't died at the age of 31.
The third section of the book goes back to Neil as he decides whether he wants to write a biography of EF. Though Neil believes he knew her well - she left him her library and notes! - as he talks to other members of his class and her brother, he realizes that he was blinkered by his love for her (and how that is defined) and she showed him only one facet of herself and others saw different ones.
JB is one of the storied, now old, men of English letters along with Martin Amis and Ian McEwan, though he perhaps has not achieved quite the fame of those two. His novels are always very readable if intellectually demanding. It was perhaps not the wisest choice to read this on vacation - too little plot, too much philosophy - but did make me feel I’d read something meaningful and worthwhile.
Thanks to Knopf and Netgalley for the digital review copy.
Neil, an actor in his thirties, takes a class called Civilization and Culture taught by the unorthodox Elizabeth Finch. Neil and the rest of the class, he believes, have their minds expanded by the discussions EF opens up for them. Long after the class concludes, Neil continues these discussions over lunch with EF right up till her death. When he finds out from her brother that EF has left him her library and notebooks, Neil feels she has set him a task.
There seem to be two crucial learnings from EF’s class: the death of Julian the Apostate (who he? Don’t worry, you’ll find out) as a pivotal point in human history; and Epictetus’s philosophy that “There are things you can control and things you can’t control. Once you accept that, you will find happiness.”
The second section of the book is Neil’s essay about the aforementioned Julian. Neil has been called “The King of Unfinished Projects” and he is determined not to succumb to that fault, though, as the reader, we realize he does. There is a brief history of Julian’s life and then the multiple interpretations of his position in history since his death in 363 AD as well as all the speculation about what would have happened if he hadn't died at the age of 31.
The third section of the book goes back to Neil as he decides whether he wants to write a biography of EF. Though Neil believes he knew her well - she left him her library and notes! - as he talks to other members of his class and her brother, he realizes that he was blinkered by his love for her (and how that is defined) and she showed him only one facet of herself and others saw different ones.
JB is one of the storied, now old, men of English letters along with Martin Amis and Ian McEwan, though he perhaps has not achieved quite the fame of those two. His novels are always very readable if intellectually demanding. It was perhaps not the wisest choice to read this on vacation - too little plot, too much philosophy - but did make me feel I’d read something meaningful and worthwhile.
Thanks to Knopf and Netgalley for the digital review copy.
aliceviolet's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
may_befoundinatheatre's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
apas's review
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
No plot and the rest was boring with annoyingly boring characters. The only part that was interesting was the history of Julian the Apostate.
elliethecatlover's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
aljosa's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this is classic Barnes. It was good, just not in the range as his other books. And the middle part was kinda too long.
filuipa's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
not sure how to feel about this, but it will stay at 3.5 stars for now due to what the hell was that part 2
mac168's review against another edition
3.0
This book was definitely not what I expected of it, though admittedly it was a birthday gift so I had little understanding of Barnes’ work. It spoke to me as a historian, highlighting the necessity of constant reassessment and re-evaluation of what we believe to be true, and I also enjoyed the exploration of keeping people alive once they have passed away. I definitely enjoyed learning about Julian the Apostate though I have to admit I found that part two, at times, dragged on, though this is I believe because I did not expect a non fiction / biographical element to this text. As a woman, I felt that some of EF’s notes evoked contemplation regarding love, marriage, and motherhood, which I hadn’t considered in depth. I also enjoyed analysing and developing my own thoughts about Julian, monotheism, and responding to EF’s stance on the matter though religion and religious history is something I know very little about. Barnes’ exploration of all different kinds of love was also thought provoking, and I think the dynamic between Neil and EF was well written and real despite the fact I didn’t really like it too much. While the book was interesting, I do feel like there was something missing that meant it failed to be particularly remarkable for me - though this is probably due to my own unfamiliarity with Barnes and the subject matters. I can envision this being a great book for anyone who has previously engaged with the author or ancient religious history, and perhaps I’ll revisit it when I learn more on the matter. Overall, 3.5⭐️
catenelmetro's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5