Talking it Over - Julian Barnes

Julian Barnes was criticised when he wrote this book as it was considered lightweight. Certainly it is a departure from his normal work, but the criticism is totally unjust, as it deals with love and humn interaction, and there is no finer subject. This book tells a love story from the perspectives of people. Each chapter is in three parts, each told in the first person by the parties involved. Its a nice gimmick, and it works very well. The different viewpoints of the same events of telling, and often amusing. I wont go too much into the plot, as it is nicer to let it unfold as you read it, but it is about 3 friends, two of whom are a ...  Read the complete review

Talking It Over tells the story of the tangled relationship between Stuart, Gillian and Oliver. The book is written as if the main characters, and a whole host of supporting actors, are being interviewed by an invisible writer. Each character takes it in turns to tell their side of the story, often conflicting strongly with what the others have to say. Stuart is a straightfoward, uncomplicated banker. What you see is what you get with Stuart, and he doesn't have a dishonest bone in his body. He can be just a little bit wet at times, though. Even when he behaves badly, he spends the next days, or weeks, brooding about it. From the outset, you just ...  Read the complete review