"Dva rozměry ustupují třem."

1. Spád děje musel nejdřív ustoupit zdlouhavému popisu historie.
2. Prostor, který by hlavní protagonisté mohli použít k objasnění událostí na konci knihy, ustoupil nesmyslné přítomnosti nových postav, aniž by přinesly něco nového.
3. Skvělá stavba příběhu, propracované pohledy tří hrdinů a bohatost vyjádřování naštěstí neustoupily ničemu.

Ordinary characters...yet when their stories come together it becomes explosive. Thanks to the insufferable Oliver, I will never forget the word 'crepuscular'.

Talking It Over by Julian Barnes (1992)

I really liked this. I like the structure and the different perspectives. I kind of felt like a shrink with those three people coming to see me and tell me their stories. And offering me a cigarette, thinking that I would've declined and then being mad about it. Barnes is so funny.

I'm glad I've borrowed the sequel from the library so I'll get on to it.

First purchased and read in 2004 while backpacking. Left that copy at a hostel's bookswap corner. Re-purchased and re-read in Oct. 2011.

My Julian Barnes bingeing continues and it's still as satisfying as the first bitebook.

What a nice surprise to come across some old friends, the threesome made up of Gillian, Stuart and Oliver, whom I first met in Love, etc., which I listened to a couple of weeks ago. Even better, this book was beautifully narrated by the same extraordinary actors, Steven Pacey, Alex Jennings, Clare Higgins. You see, when I requested this audiobook, I had no idea what it was about.

Despite the fact that the characters and the plot were very familiar, I still enjoyed listening to the three of them bickering, interacting, reminiscing and having their different takes on what had happened. This novel focuses more on the beginning of Gillian's relationship with Stuart, followed by their divorce so that Gillian could marry Oliver, Stuart's best friend.

Again, the narration is absolutely divine, as the three characters are talking directly to us, in some ways pleading their case. I liked Gillian, despite the fact that she'd left the reliable, nice guy, albeit a bit boring, Stuart, for the good-looking charmer, with no substance or work ethic, Oliver.

Julian Barnes is a great observer of people. His intelligence and erudition are more than apparent. His command of the English language is astonishing. I feel smarter just by paying attention to his words. Being entertained and touched by his books is just a bonus.

Again, I take a bow.

Disappointing for me - I expected witty like Oscar Wilde and I got pedantic like a fussy English teacher.