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Every book Julian Barnes recommended on podcasts
Julian Barnes offered a thoughtful examination of narrative structure and predictive fiction during his appearance on The Book Review. Discussing his own work, Barnes reflected on his book Levels of Life, noting its distinct three-part structure and comparing it to the architectural choices in his newer novel. He also brought up his 1998 novel England, England, pointing out how it managed to anticipate certain themes related to Brexit well before they materialized in the real world. In addition to reflecting on his own bibliography, Barnes engaged with the broader landscape of fiction by highlighting Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City. Barnes praised it as the primary example of a book that successfully executes a second-person narrative, a notoriously difficult perspective to sustain in fiction. Through these insights, Barnes demonstrated a deep appreciation for formal experimentation, narrative risks, and the uncanny ways fiction can prefigure future political and social realities.
Books recommended by Julian Barnes
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Bright lights, big city
Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney is a seminal 1980s novel capturing the frantic nightlife and existential angst of a young fact-checker navigating Manhattan.
Discussed“yes indeed indeed the only book I can think of that really really works as a second person narrative is J mck and his Bright Lights big city”
Where to get it
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England, England
Discussed“well funny enough I predicted it in a novel called England England which I wrote in 1998”
Where to get it
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Levels of Life
Discussed“but it's interesting too in that with levels of life it was sort of three parts”
Where to get it
Books Julian Barnes wrote
- The Noise of Time
- The only story
- A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters
- England, England
- Levels of Life
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Barnes on 'The Only Story' | The Book Review | 2024-07-18 | 3 |