Brilliant as ever

Julian Barnes never fails to delight. insightful, intuitive - masterful observation of being human.

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Entertaining, informative, beautiful, sad, moving

Entertaining musings on the technical and psychological changes in humanity's ability to view itself heralded by the invention and combination of photography and aeronautics. Then follows a deeply personal detailing of the writer's experience of romantic love, loss and grief. Beautiful and sad, and powerfully moving.

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1 person found this helpful

Superb

brilliant and heart rending. words are inadequate, yet I am deeply touched by the author's.
Beautifully written and beautifully read.
And combined, it seems with rare scholarship. Thank you. KB

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A novel and touching book, the likes of which I’ve never read before

A novel and touching book, the likes of which I’ve never read before.

I came across this book by chance in a sale and was totally unprepared for what was to come, leaving my somewhat thrown by the first act (no spoilers).

Such was my unpreparedness that I almost gave up but, being a third through, I persevered. I am glad I did because I was treated to an insight into grief and loss that I didn’t know I needed as much as I did.

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4 people found this helpful

Well written but not his best

I did enjoy this short book and the final section dealing with the loss of his wife was both touching and fabulous. I hold back on my rating however as the initial set up, all about balloon flight, went on far too long for me. I know that's Julian's style but this time, as I say, it felt too long a preamble.

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2 people found this helpful

Captivating

Julian Barnes draws the reader easily into his books and his own reading of his writing is captivating. The final section was an exploration of personal grief, in these days without the comfort of a belief in an afterlife. Very moving.

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Extraordinary writing about ballooning and grief

I selected this book on a whim not knowing quite what to expect primarily on the basis that I loved Julian Barnes' previous book Flaubert's Parrot and this was on sale at the bargain price of one pound (I don't mind admitting that I like a bargain). It starts off as an intriguing history of the pioneers of ballooning in nineteenth century France before the author gets distracted and starts to talk about his love for his late wife. The beauty of this book, narrated by the author, is the heartfelt way that he talks of his personal all consuming grief. It would take a hard person not to be moved by this writing.

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enjoyable loved his narration

Mr Barnes writes a good book took me a while to get into it but that was possibly me having listened to light weight stuff before but once on the right wave leghnth really enjoyed it recommend it

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The heights and depths- exquisite

So very, very well written! Well crafted in three parts. The first two parts are facinating. The third part is one of the most honest and powerful I have ever read.

A surprising and powerful novel, and I plan to read it again.

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9 people found this helpful

Beautifully done

A meditation on personal grief that is moving, witty and poignant. A wonderful writer sharing deeply.

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1 person found this helpful