THE SENSE OF AN ENDING BY JULIAN BARNES

 Afaz Af'Ida Septiani (30802400002)

Have you ever thought about things that happened in the past? Are those memories so strong that you think that recollections of the past are very strong? but the truth is, you just need to realize that reality is very different. This is the central theme of the novel "The Sense of an Ending" by Julian Barnes.

This Novel tells the story of four people (Tony Webster, Adrian Finn, Collin, and Alex) who have been friends since their school days until they finally graduated and went on to lead their own adult lives. The novel focuses on Tony Webster's life after he enters adulthood. Tony Webster is a middle aged man who feels his life is uneventful and secure. His life after graduating from school has been very laid-back, and he has rarely encountered any problems. After graduation, he and his friends continued to exchange stories through letters they sent to one another. Eventually, a problem arose that began to disturb his peace of mind. It happened when he received an unexpected inheritance, the diary of his childhood friend, Adrian Finn who had committed suicide decades earlier.

Tony, who sensed something was amiss in the case of his friend Adrian Finn, who had suddenly committed suicide, finally launched an investigation into the matter. His search for the diary then led him to reconnect with his ex-girlfriend, Veronica. This reunion gradually uncovered dark secrets from the past and forced Tony to face the reality that the memories he had clung to all along were, in fact, false.

As a reader, I found several reason why this novel is worth to be read. First, the author invites us to experience what the character Tony Webster is feeling. The author invites readers to see the world entirely from Tony's perspective. Until finally, the facts are revealed and we realized that Tony is a character who unconsciously alters his memories to justify his own actions. Second, with only abut 150 pages, this novel successfully chooses words that seem perfectly suited to what the author wants to convey to the reader, allowing the reader to easily follow the plot.

In addition, this novel has its weaknesses as well. For readers like me who prefer a fast-paced plot, the beginning of the book feels a bit slow because it's dominated by Tony's memories and reflections on his youth.

I recommend the novel "The Sense of an Ending" because it's a short but very thought provoking read. This novel is perfect for those who enjoy subtle psychological conflicts and stories that leave you wondering long after you've turned the last page.