Levels of Life

by Julian Barnes
Levels of Life cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Biography and Memoir
Technical:
  • ID: 632
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781448180844
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2013-04-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

In Levels of Life, Julian Barnes masterfully intertwines the lives of Nadar, the intrepid balloonist and photographer, and Colonel Fred Burnaby, who was captivated by the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt. Through these historical figures, Barnes crafts a meditation on the heights and depths of human experience. The narrative then shifts to Barnes' deeply personal account of grief, offering an unflinching and insightful look at the profound impact of loss. This book is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of sorrow, blending history, biography, and memoir into a moving exploration of the human condition.

Reviews
Savage Reads · 2014-07-16
original 4.00

The book is incredibly original and cleverly constructed, offering much more than just a literary piece. It is a testament to the author's unique storytelling abilities.

The reviewer from Savage Reads praises 'Levels of Life' for its incredible originality and clever construction, noting that it offers much more than just a literary piece. The book is described as a testament to Julian Barnes's unique storytelling abilities, blending personal memoir with historical and philosophical reflections. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the narrative, which explores themes of love, loss, and grief in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The book's structure and the way it weaves together different elements make it a standout work.

Quick quotes

    In terms of a piece of literature it is incredibly original and so cleverly constructed.

    Yet there is so much more to this book than it's literary aspects.

    It is a testament to the author's unique storytelling abilities.

NPR · 2013-09-26
moving 4.20

The book is a quirky yet powerful meditation on love, loss, and ballooning, offering a unique perspective on grief. It is a deeply personal and moving exploration of these themes.

NPR's review of 'Levels of Life' describes it as a quirky but ultimately powerful meditation on love, loss, and ballooning. The reviewer highlights how Julian Barnes's personal journey through grief is both deeply moving and thought-provoking. The book's unique structure and the way it blends historical anecdotes with personal reflections make it a standout work. The reviewer appreciates the raw emotion and the profound insights into the human experience of loss. This is a book that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level.

Quick quotes

    Every love story is a potential grief story.

    A quirky but ultimately powerful meditation on things lost.

    It is a deeply personal and moving exploration of these themes.

The Guardian · Blake Morrison · 2013-04-06
heartfelt 4.50

The book is a deeply personal and artful exploration of grief, revealing the author's profound love for his late wife. It is both searing and honest, making it a poignant read.

Blake Morrison's review in The Guardian highlights how Julian Barnes's 'Levels of Life' is a searing essay on grief that reveals the depth of his love for his late wife, Pat Kavanagh. The book is described as painfully honest and artfully constructed, making it a deeply moving experience. Morrison emphasizes the raw emotion and the profound impact of Barnes's personal journey through loss. The reviewer appreciates the way Barnes weaves his personal story with historical and philosophical reflections, creating a layered and resonant narrative. This is a book that stays with the reader long after the last page is turned.

Quick quotes

    Julian Barnes's searing essay on grief reveals the depth of his love for his late wife.

    The book is both painfully honest and typically artful.

    It is a deeply personal and artful exploration of grief.

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