Status
Available
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Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 2004.
Description
Fiction. Literature. Short Stories. HTML:In his widely acclaimed new collection of stories, Julian Barnes addresses what is perhaps the most poignant aspect of the human condition: growing old. The characters in The Lemon Table are facing the ends of their lives�??some with bitter regret, others with resignation, and others still with defiant rage. Their circumstances are just as varied as their responses. In 19th-century Sweden, three brief conversations provide the basis for a lifetime of longing. In today's England, a retired army major heads into the city for his regimental dinner�??and his annual appointment with a professional lady named Babs. Somewhere nearby, a devoted wife calms (or perhaps torments) her ailing husband by reading him recipes. In stories brimming with life and our desire to hang on to it one way or another, Barnes proves himself by turns wise, funny, clever, and profound�??a writer of astonishing powers of empathy and i… (more)
Media reviews
This is a book about old age and disappointment, among other things. (...) If one wanted to see how various and how controlled Barnes can be, a good place to look is "The Story of Mats Israelson", set in 18th-century Sweden. (...) the story delicately treats a love relationship frustrated by time,
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reticence, misunderstanding and finally death. (...) The Lemon Table leaves one in no doubt as to Barnes's virtuosity. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member vguy
Disappointing. Character sketches rather than stories. And a strange mix of characters it is. All obsessive, uptight, pretty unlikeable folk. Got a bit tired of their company. All elegantly written as Barnes would.
LibraryThing member stephenmurphy
Lush and citric. mature, well-developed literature.
LibraryThing member edwinbcn
Very disappointing. Uninteresting stories, which, typically for Barnes, are far removed from reality.
LibraryThing member Cariola
I picked up this collection of short stories on the strength of Barnes's Booker-winning novel, The Sense of an Ending. Similarly, most of these stories also deal with aging--but without the humor and touch of hope found there. Quite a few deal wiuth artists, musicians and writers who have lost
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their talent; several others involve elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer's and their caretakers. Overall, I found it rather sad and depressing, although finely written. Show Less
LibraryThing member Helenliz
Listened to by the magic of downloading to my phone and connecting the phone to the car to play it through the speakers while driving. And I managed that all by myself. Very proud!
And it was worth the effort.
If there is a theme, this is remembrance and loss. Most of the stories have a air of
And it was worth the effort.
If there is a theme, this is remembrance and loss. Most of the stories have a air of
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sadness about them with the characters either remembering times past, or pondering the end of life and the complications that brings. Whgich doesn;t sound very cheery, but I would not say that this is a sad colleciton. Wistful, maybe. In a couple of stories there are several segments that are told at diifferent times, with a common theme. The first takes this form, with the key being the trip to the barber's for a haircut. It's all very understated, but nonetheless enjoyable for that. Show Less
LibraryThing member PDCRead
This little collection of short stories by Barnes is all centred around characters in the twilight years of their lives. The stories vary enormously, but they have elements in common; loss of independence, fond reminiscences of past events, decline in health and well being, love lost and gained and
Barnes writes with a light touch for subjects that are quite deep and poignant. The prose is brief, almost clipped at times, giving us the barest of plot elements and outline sketches of the characters in each story. As with any short story collection, some work better than others, and even though it is a tough subject to write about, and could be depressing, Barnes does it with humour and wit at times. It is a good introduction to the quality of Barnes writing, and even though it can be a tad depressing, it is not bad overall.
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inevitably death. They tales are set in barbers shops, old people’s and family homes; some concern family secrets, one is letters between a reader and a writer and the tragic theft of a mind from Alzheimer's.Barnes writes with a light touch for subjects that are quite deep and poignant. The prose is brief, almost clipped at times, giving us the barest of plot elements and outline sketches of the characters in each story. As with any short story collection, some work better than others, and even though it is a tough subject to write about, and could be depressing, Barnes does it with humour and wit at times. It is a good introduction to the quality of Barnes writing, and even though it can be a tad depressing, it is not bad overall.
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LibraryThing member saschenka
Collection of 11 short stories examining the aging process and contemplation of the end of life. A Short History of Hairdressing: frightened youth, insolent young adult, complacent mature adult. The Story of Mats Israelson: unrequieted love in 18thC Sweden (referencing a true story of a body of a
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man identified by his fiancee after missing for 40 years) as two people who cannot speak openly and who are already married, ponder a life not chosen (although never offered, really); how the right/wrong word at a specific moment can set in motion events which come to signify a larger meaning in one's life. Best two stories are The Silence and The Revival. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Notable Books List (2005)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2004
Physical description
241 p.; 20 cm
ISBN
1400042143 / 9781400042142