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.

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 ½ 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.

An authoritative overview, by a leading expert, on the work of one of Britain's most successful and popular contemporary writers
Covers all of the author's novels to date, as well as his short stories and essays
Incorporates the latest scholarship and examines a range of critical approaches to Barnes's work

Autorentext
Vanessa Guignery is Professor of Contemporary English Literature and Postcolonial Literature at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France. She is the author of seven academic books, including Julian Barnes from the Margins: Exploring the Writer's Archives (Bloomsbury, 2020), and co-editor of over 20 monographs and special issues of academic journals.

Inhalt
Acknowledgements.- Introduction: Julian Barnes in 10½ Chapters.- A Witty Bildungsroman: Metroland (1980).- When Horror Meets Comedy: Before She Met Me (1981).- Barnes/Kavanagh, A Janus-faced Writer: Duffy (1980), Fiddle City (1981), Putting the Boot In (1985) and Going to the Dogs (1987).- Postmodernist Experimentation: Flaubert's Parrot (1984).- An Ordinary Miracle: Staring at the Sun (1986).- A Re-Vision of History: A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (1989).- The Polyphony of Love and Truth: Talking It Over (1991) and Love Etc (2001).- Politics and Fiction: The Porcupine (1992).- The Brilliant Essayist: Letters from London (1995), Something to Declare (2002) and The Pedant in the Kitchen (2003).- The Simulacrum of National Identity: England, England (1998).- In Search of Lost Times: Cross Channel (1996) and The Lemon Table (2004).- Endings and new Beginnings: Arthur and George (2005).- Notes.- Select Bibliography.- Index.