The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes and Quick, Cheating Chicken Noodle Soup

The Review: 

Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes was one of those small books that packs a whollop of a kick. Barnes knows how to get to the center of issues like love, marriage, sex, death, and memory without losing you in philosophical ramblings or long-winded plot detail. The book is beautiful for its simplicity, yet Barnes sets up an excellent mystery within its pages. I really couldn't get enough of it.

At first though, I admit I almost quit it. The opening paragraph is gripping, but it is then followed for about twenty or so pages of Tony Webster as wholly young, arrogant, adolescent British male voice, occurring in an all boys private school. In other words, though it was only an introduction, I had a complete lack of ability to relate to this teenage boy (one which Barnes made terribly stereotypical on purpose). But I kept on reading for that ever-promising voice of the opening paragraph, a voice definitely distinct and more three-dimensional. And I most certainty was rewarded.

Quickly after his introduction, Tony describes some specific years in university and the scenes are vibrant and vivid. The beginning the of book surrounds his school relationships with 3 other boys, but most specifically with a genius-like philosopher, Adrian Finn. His university years surround an enigmatic girlfriend, Veronica and his fading friendships. Already some hints and leaks of the elder voice - a voice that really captures thoughts into expressions so heartfelt that I wanted to read through those passages over and over - begins here. I was already getting the feeling that each memory was chosen specifically. The mystery imperceptibly began.

But when the first major event comes, it does not come as a surprise. The event is a suicide. I will not tell you which character (as I do hope you read this novel), but you have been prepared for the scenario. Interestingly, the suicide is not the stationary center of the book - it is not the peak. No, instead it is a passing moment that resurfaces over and over again, each time with a new meaning, a new understanding, until finally the truth falls into place. It is a moving center, it is an integral event, a highly relevant moment, but time moves forward constantly. And isn't that how most death is integrated into our lives? It resurfaces again and again, but there is no stopping time's momentum.

The novel portrays this specifically in that following the suicide, Tony summarizes the rest of his adult life from settling down to middle age to retirement in the space of two pages. Tony's life actually flies by with an odd listing of facts over moments. Time speeds up and suddenly his older voice brings us to the present - a quiet, solitary life. That is when things become really interesting.

It all begins with a letter. How can we ever forget the importance of letter in literature? It is a letter discussing a will. A nearly forgotten character in his life, Veronica's mother (Veronica was the enigmatic ex-girlfriend), leaves him a diary. But why her mother? And why not just any diary, but the diary of the suicide? From that catalyst comes not only a twining and twisting mystery, but more importantly an overarching discussion of the nature of memory and human relationships. The mystery is really an unveiling, a revelation of the other parts of the story, which as individuals we are rarely aware of.

This is what I really loved about The Sense of an Ending. This is where Barnes's brilliance really shows, because he manages to give you an entire philosophy, but tucks the thoughts in little scraps of paragraphs throughout the stream of consciousness and plot.  It is as if he gives you bits of poetry, disguised as prose, hiding in the mind of a single character, but with the voice of wider humanity.

It is for these small sparks among all the mistakes of memory, misunderstanding of communication, and ignorance of meaning from Tony's character that makes him so human. He is average and safe. He is fallible and heartbreaking. He is unremarkable, except for his moments of clarity. If you read this book for nothing else, read it for the thoughts tucked away in its pages. They stay with you long after the mystery of the novel is uncovered.


And now to the recipe!

Quick and Cheating Chicken Noodle Soup

When you're actually too ill to function - like I was not too long ago - and you desperately need some chicken soup to feel like you're being taken care of by your mother, you don't want to have to cook and soak chicken bones to make real chicken broth. No, when you're really truly and sick, you usually just want it from a can. But the canned soup isn't as good or or healthy or delicious - it just isn't. So here's a quick fix for a home-made delicious cheat that will have you feeling good and also not collapsing while attempting to make it.

Serves: 1 (...for several meals)
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

1/2 a packet of fresh egg noodles
2 diced chicken breasts
3 chicken small stock pots (concentrated)
1 cup of peas
2 carrots
1 lemon
ground black pepper
mixed Italian herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme)
Saltines (amendable)

1. Peel, cut, and steam your carrots.
2. Season the chicken. A little salt, a little pepper, and just a little of those Italian herbs. Don't go crazy, think 'sprinkle like fairy dust'. Place 1 tbsp of olive oil in the pan and just that chicken cooking.
3. Wait (and flip the chicken).
4. When the chicken is nearly done, boil some water from the kettle and boil your peas. They are lightning quick and when they are all floating, they are usually done. Drain and set aside.
5. Get a large pot, boil enough water to fill it from the kettle, pour it in there. Put the heat on a medium, you want it hot, but not spilling-over-the-sides-boiling. Add your chicken stock pots. Make sure that they dissolve completely and stir to make sure they do. Now you have instant (and tasty) chicken broth.
6. Add the noodles to the finishing chicken and mix them in the pan until they are warm and ready to eat.
7. Add your finished carrots, peas, chicken and noodles to the big pot. Stir them altogether. Squeeze out your lemon over the broth and add a sprinkle of mixed herbs and black pepper. Let everything mix (stirring recommended) for 1-2 minutes. Put some saltines on a plate, while you stir/wait.
8. Pour out your soup, grab your tissues, and enjoy in bed.