Celebrated British author Julian Barnes has announced that his forthcoming novel will be the final full-length work of his illustrious 45-year literary career. The revelation comes as the writer prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday.
A Career Culmination: 'I've Played All My Tunes'
In a candid interview, the Booker Prize-winning novelist stated he has reached the natural conclusion of his creative journey. "One way of thinking about how long you go on is, 'As long as they'll still publish you'," Barnes remarked. "But that can be misleading. I shouldn't write a book just because it would be published. You ought to go on until you've said everything you've got to say, and I've reached that point."
Barnes, whose bibliography includes 15 novels and 10 works of nonfiction, emphasised he will not stop writing entirely. Having begun his professional life as a journalist, he plans to continue with journalism and reviews. However, he confirmed: "in terms of books, this is my last."
'Departure(s)': A Final Exploration of Familiar Themes
The novel in question, titled Departure(s), is described as a hybrid work blending memoir, essay, and fiction. It centres on Barnes's role as an intermediary for two anonymised friends, Stephen and Jean, whose romantic relationship ultimately dissolved.
The book serves as a culmination, weaving together the central themes that have defined his writing:
- Memory and its fallibility
- The complexities of love and friendship
- The processes of ageing and mortality
Barnes's literary breakthrough arrived in 1984 with his third novel, Flaubert's Parrot, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He would be shortlisted twice more for England, England and Arthur & George before finally winning the coveted award in 2011 for The Sense of an Ending.
Life, Health, and a Quiet New Chapter
The author also spoke openly about his personal life and health. Six years ago, Barnes was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, which he manages with daily chemotherapy pills. Characteristically pragmatic, he described his current condition as "a score draw," adding that while stable, it contributes to a "weakening of the organism."
On a brighter note, Barnes recently revealed he secretly remarried in August last year to publisher Rachel Cugnoni, a partner of eight years and a friend of nearly three decades. He was previously widowed at age 62 when his first wife, literary agent Pat Kavanagh, died from a brain tumour in 2008.
Reflecting on his life's work as an avowed atheist now facing mortality, Barnes offered a nuanced perspective. "I used to be terrified of death, but after spending about 10 years with a body falling apart or not behaving well, I don't feel resigned to it," he said. "But it's obviously different when you die in your 80s from dying in your 40s or 50s."
With characteristic understatement, he concluded on his prolific career: "I've led a lucky life. If you'd told me when I was 30 I'd write lots of books which a lot of people like to read, I'd have been staggered. So I'm very pleased about that." The literary world now awaits the final, resonant notes of his distinctive literary voice.
