The Fiction of Julian Barnes (Readers' Guides to Essential Criticism, 46)

this Guide Provides A Comprehensive And Accessible Overview Of The Essential Criticism On Julian Barnes's Work, Drawing From A Selection Of Reviews, Interviews, Essays And Books. Through The Presentation And Assessment Of Key Critical Interpretations And Perspectives, The Guide Examines The Various Issues In His Work Which Have Aroused Critical Interest (narration/voice, History/story, Biography, Infidelity, Obsession). It Also Explores Barnes's Combination Of Innovative Techniques With Conventional Strategies In His Novels, Short Stories And Essays. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 9 Introduction: Julian Barnes in 101⁄2 Chapters......Page 10 CHAPTER ONE: A Witty Bildungsroman: Metroland (1980)......Page 17 CHAPTER TWO: When Horror Meets Comedy: Before She Met Me (1982)......Page 26 CHAPTER THREE: Barnes/Kavanagh, a Janus-faced Writer: Duffy (1980), Fiddle City (1981), Putting the Boot In (1985) and Going to the Dogs (1987)......Page 37 CHAPTER FOUR: Postmodernist Experimentation: Flaubert’s Parrot (1984)......Page 46 CHAPTER FIVE: An Ordinary Miracle: Staring at the Sun (1986)......Page 60 CHAPTER SIX: A Re-vision of History: A History of the World in 101⁄2 Chapters (1989)......Page 70 CHAPTER SEVEN: The Polyphony of Love and Truth: Talking It Over (1991) and Love, etc (2001)......Page 82 CHAPTER EIGHT: Politics and Fiction: The Porcupine (1992)......Page 94 PARENTHESIS: The Brilliant Essayist: Letters from London (1995), Something to Declare (2002) and The Pedant in the Kitchen (2003)......Page 105 CHAPTER NINE: The Simulacrum of National Identity: England, England (1998)......Page 113 CHAPTER TEN: In Search of Lost Times: Cross Channel (1996) and The Lemon Table (2004)......Page 124 CONCLUSION: Endings and New Beginnings: Arthur & George (2005)......Page 136 NOTES......Page 142 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 160 C......Page 170 F......Page 171 H......Page 172 L......Page 173 M......Page 174 R......Page 175 T......Page 176 Z......Page 177 Julian Barnes's work has been marked by great variety, ranging not only from conventional fiction to postmodernist experimentation in such well-known novels as Flaubert's Parrot (1984) and A History of the World in 10 1⁄2 Chapters (1989), but also from witty essays to deeply touching short stories. The responses of readers and critics have likewise varied, from enthusiasm to scepticism, as the substantial volume of critical analysis demonstrates. This Readers' Guide provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the essential criticism on Barnes's work, drawing from a selection of reviews, interviews, essays and books. Through the presentation and assessment of key critical interpretations, Vanessa Guignery provides the most wide-ranging examination of his fiction and non-fiction so far, considering key issues such as his use of language, his treatment of history, obsession, love, and the relationship between fact and fiction. Covering all of the novels to date, from Metroland (1981) to Arthur and George (2005), this is an invaluable introduction to the work of one of Britain's most exciting and popular contemporary writers. This Readers' Guide provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the essential criticism on Barnes's work, drawing from a selection of reviews, interviews, essays and books. Through the presentation and assessment of key critical interpretations, Vanessa Guignery provides the most wide-ranging examination of his fiction and non-fiction so far, considering key issues such as his use of language, his treatment of history, obsession, love, and the relationship between fact and fiction. Covering all of the novels to date, from Metroland (1981) to Arthur and George (2005), this is an invaluable introduction to the work of one of Britain's most exciting and popular contemporary writers. - Publisher Provides an overview of the criticism on Julian Barnes's work, drawing from a selection of reviews, interviews, essays and books. Through the presentation and assessment of key interpretations and perspectives, this guide examines the various issues in his work, which have aroused critical interest (narration, history, biography, and infidelity) This overview of the essential criticism on Julian Barnes's work explores Barnes's combination of innovative techniques with conventional strategies in his novels and short stories. Through the assessment of key critical interpretations and perspectives, this guide examines the various issues in his work which have aroused critical interest