Elizabeth Finch by Julian Barnes

JONATHAN CAPE, £16.99 (EBOOK, £9.99)

REVIEW BY JOSHUA PUGH GINN

Julian Barnes’ novels often centre on the recollection of past events and relationships, and he is second to none at exploring the frailty of memory and the inability of one person to give a full account of another, however intimate they were. Academic Neil reflects on his former teacher and friend Elizabeth Finch, poring over her eccentricities and work, attempting to understand the inspirational effect “EF” had on him. However, his biographical vision blurs and repeatedly refocuses on himself. Neil’s shifting emotions engage the reader as fully as any plot. Elizabeth Finch ranks alongside Barnes’ best.