The Sense of an Ending is a short novel ( around 150 pages) by Julian Barnes published in 2012 and awarded with the Man Booker Prize 2011. The book is divided in two parts. In addition, it is narrated in first person by its main character, named Tom Webster.

The first part, which it is shorter than the second one, deals about Tom’s classmates lifestyle, boys who are deeply interested in literature and also philosopy. This part end by the suicide of one’s Tom peer called Finn, who had also been Veronica’s boyfriend.

The second part of the book, is currently located and it shows us the daily life of the main character,  who seems to be a lonely, guilty and nostalgic person. Morover, he has been unlucky with love although he gets on well with his former wife (Margaret) as they have one daughter (Sussy).

A few years before, Tom and Veronica meet again, and he asked her why his classmate committed suicide, so he tries to find out through his classmate’s girlfriend.

In my opinion, the book shows us a sadly point of view about elderly people and how they have been spending  their time. As the main character tells us his wonderful and exciting life when he was younger against his lonely and bored life nowadays.

In spite of having some problems to understand the  author’s main vision, I highly recommend it.

Ester Rocaginé