A review by melchior
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

Barnes tries to be J. D. Salinger, but seems to consistently forget that he lacks all of his intellect and talent.  This book answers the question: "What if the 14-years-old telling you 'I porked your mom' in the Halo Reach lobby was a book?" The answer: a mediocrely written, unlikeable protagonist with flaws that are not interesting. What redeems this book somewhat, is the half-interesting plot-twist, fuelled by the tacked-together dreams of being a book about the bias of memory and the unreliability of the narrator. Sadly, the author - much like the protagonist he has portrayed - has his head too far up his own ass to deliver in a compelling manner. So don't fret: you can live a perfectly decent life without ever opening this pretentious dribble.