First of two parter, with "Love, Etc." Use of unreliable, multi narrator dialog, an urbane Roshomon. Could have been edited down more. Unlikeable characters (except for Madame Wyatt) demonstrate the way we invent our lives and the lives of others, the pointlessness and inevitability of wishing others were capable of change (read: different than they truly are) so that we could love them better -- so that we could love ourselves better. Damaged people damaging other damaged people. Reviews a bit over the top. ( )

Stuart y Gillian se conocen en una reunión organizada en un hotel por una agencia matrimonial que organiza cócteles para solteros de buena posición que, por diversas circunstancias, tienen una escasa vida social. Stuart es un cuadro medio de un banco, un buen chico, sensible aunque algo soso, y Gillian una restauradora de cuadros encantadora. Se casarán, pero entra en escena Oliver, el mejor amigo de Stuart, bohemio y presunto dandy, que se las da de conocer mundo aunque no ha pasado de Marbella, quien se enamora perdidamente de Gillian. Y Barnes obsequia a los lectores con su moderna versión del triángulo eterno

Thanks Oly Shipp for the loan! I very much enjoyed it, though it's a rare occasion for me of understanding what people mean when they say they don't relate to any of the characters. But handsomely written and cleverly conceived. ( )

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. ( )

Lo decidimos en la anterior tertulia para leer otro libro de Barnes
Próxima tertu en casa de Mar