The perfect theme song for "The Sense of An Ending

[dawnoshiro]

This is THE perfect theme song for "The Sense of An Ending." Now, whenever I listen to this song, I can see a little movie in my head featuring all the characters from "The Sense of An Ending." It makes me want to cry. Both are simply heartbreaking.

It's "Perfect Symmetry" by Keane. Close your eyes and just listen.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9O_0Z_j15k&feature=related

The imagery resonates remarkably well with the novel:

"This life, lived in perfect symmetry...What I do, that will be done to me."

"As the needle slips into the run out groove...Love, maybe you'll feel it too" (I could actually see Tony watching Veronica dance here)

"And maybe you find, life is unkind and over so soon. There is no golden gate, there's no heaven waiting for you."

"Spineless dreamers, hide in churches..."

"I dream in emails, worn out phrases. Mile after mile of just empty pages."

"Maybe you'll feel it too."

Haunting last lines.... This is such a gorgeous and sad song, and so perfect for the novel.

[balder1983]

Let me begin by saying that I don’t mind short, understated books – novellas if you like. I do like them. What I don’t like is paying the same money for a 150 page book, that could have easily been written by a skilled writer in a month, that I have to pay for a 826 page book involving loads of research full of medieval and linguistic references (yes, I am reading Nicola Barker’s Darkmans). I just don’t think that’s fair.

[dawnoshiro]

I suppose I can understand some of your argument. When a book is massive, it makes sense to pay more to cover the cost of printing and shipping. But this assumes that the content is basically the same and the only difference is the number of pages.

I don't agree that "A Sense of An Ending" could have been written by another skilled writer in a month. Personally, I think it's the kind of book that some writers will never be able to pull off, even if given years. When I put down the money for a Julian Barnes novel, I'm paying for the fruits of HIS labor and creativity as opposed to a completely different writer. There's a reason some e-books are 99 cents; they're simply not very good at all. Chances are a Haruki Murakami novel will be several times better than a randomly selected Japanese novelist.

Also, it's a bit difficult to compare writers who are talented in totally different ways. While I don't doubt Barker's gift, her writing style simply requires more words and research. Ernest Hemingway's style is famous for being "pared down." He liked to use the analogy of an iceberg: most of the story is unwritten and submerged below the surface of the water. A lot of his dialogue is simple on the surface but full of unspoken tension. I think it is actually a lot more difficult to write this way (hence the large number of failed Hemingway imitators).

I guess it just boils down to the idea that value is in the eye of the beholder.

If you think you overpaid for "A Sense of An Ending" due to its brevity, you will probably be laughing at me as I desperately try to save up enough money to buy a limited edition of that book for hundreds of dollars. I wouldn't do that for 99% of the books I've read, but for this particular novel, it will be worth every penny to me.

[mel93]

Great topic!
This is also a great song that could perfectly be the theme song for "The sense of an ending"
It's called "Simple math" www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=EkkeHpzs0lI

"What if I was wrong and no one cared to mention?
What if it was true and all we thought was right was wrong?
Simple math. The truth cannot be fractioned"
"What if I was wrong and started trying to fix it?"
Hope you enjoy it!

[dawnoshiro]

I had never heard of this song before, so thanks for sharing!

For some reason, the overall song reminds me more of Adrian than Tony.

Maybe it's the subtle link between math and sex... I keep thinking about that equation in the diary when I listen to this.

[didi]

Hello, I am new in this forum.
I am looking for an address in order to write to Julian Barnes.
Thanks for your help !