Released this January, Departure(s) is Julian Barnes latest and last novel. The release was timed to coincide with the 80th birthday of Barnes—born in January 1946. Being his fifteenth novel and, according to the author, the last one he will write, expectations were high—and they were met.
The book slips and slides between various genres to the point where it is dubious if you can call this a novel. It is a blend of fiction, memoir, poetry, and non-fiction, which Barnes, with his usual conversational and confident tone, manages to pull together to create a compelling narrative. This ambiguity of form seems a fitting end to his career as a novelist.
The primary focus is on Stephen and Jean, who fall in love when they are young and then again later in life. The characters are compelling enough to keep you engaged, although the plot and characterisation take secondary importance to the themes and reflections Barnes uses them to explore.
Indeed, Departure(s) sees Barnes grappling with old and new themes. Continuing on from his previous books, memory, in all its various forms, is prevalent as he grapples with old age and mortality. The final section of the book also sees him explore his life as an author. In recollecting his thought process through the years he states, “and from time to time I’ve had the sub-though, ‘This wouldn’t be a bad one to go out one’.”
As a finale to a long and respected career, Departure(s) is a solid and enjoyable book, and its philosophical and unanchored nature offers scope for many re-reads. So, if fans of Barnes are missing his work in the future, they will no doubt be able to return to this one and read it with fresh perspective down the line.
Photo by Angelina Castrucci for The Student