Isa's Final Post

       Sense of an Ending seems like a paradox. It's simplistic narration hid intricate themes. The ordinary, perfectly adequate Tony was unknowingly wrapped in a darker chain of events. On the whole, I enjoyed Sense of an Ending. The brisk tone actually drew me in because I felt that the brevity of events was only leading to a spectacular climax. I was half right... the novel did have that obligatory plot twist, but the resolution felt lackluster, as that detached tone immediately returned.
        It's hard to say whether or not Tony was a "likable" or sympathetic character. He seems to know the right choice, and he knows exactly what he is expected to say. Yet his delivery and his overall manner is sort of disappointing. For me, he was just an average character; almost like another faceless witness to an event in history. Maybe that was Julian Barnes' intention. He portrays reality so realistically, in particular the reality that most people are on a trajectory that is often hard to escape.
        I was surprised by the Notes from the Underground connections that I encountered. Before the true nature of Adrian's suicide is revealed to Tony and the reader, Tony's mother remarks that maybe his cleverness was too much for this world. I immediately thought of the underground man. He too was so conscious, so evolved, that he was unable to ever make any lasting bond or affection towards anyone or anything. Essentially he was a stranger on the edge, forced to look upon a race that he knew too well. Though Adrian's true reason for his death was just as passionate as Robson's, I did entertain the idea that maybe Adrian felt unknowable due to his intellect.
       To conclude, I liked Sense of Ending, but I wasn't blown away by it. I found it a simultaneously simple and complicated novel that was compelling in certain parts. I think the main reason I wasn't more deeply affected was due to the fact it tackled subjects that I was unable to relate to. The insecurity, awkwardness and boredom of Tony's youth was very relatable. But I found the second half to be semi- outrageous and I felt somewhat detached from the events.