They say that as we grow older, forgotten memories from our childhood return, while at the same time the connection with the middle part of our life weakens. This has not happened to me yet, but I can imagine how the phenomenon develops as old age takes over. Our mental space is occupied by vivid scenes from the past, followed by a large gap, and finally a tangible, insignificant present takes its place as repetitive days and recurring periods of confusion pass like migratory clouds. In other words, each of our lives will shrink into a story with a big hole in the middle.
Departures is a work of fiction – but that does not mean it isn’t true.
It is the story of Steven and Jean, who fall in love when they are young and find each other again when they are old. It is the story of an old Jack Russell named Jimmy, who is oblivious to his own mortality. It is also the story of how the body lets us down due to age, illness, accident, or intention, and how experiences fade, become anecdotes, and then memories. Does it ultimately matter if what we remember really happened? Or is it only important that it was significant enough for us to remember?
Departures is a work that begins at the end of life, but does not end there. It deals with the only things that truly matter: how we find happiness in this life and when it is time to say goodbye.
Excerpt:
Written by the author:
There is no one like Julian Barnes.
The Guardian
Manufacturer
Product Guides
- Author
- Julian Barnes
- Publisher
- Metaichmio
- Original Title
- Departures
- Type
- Prose
- Cover
- Soft
- Number of Pages
- 240
- Release Date
- 27/01/2026
- Publication Date
- 2026
- Dimensions
- 14x20 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9786180347920
Important information
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