«You put together two things that have not been put together before, and the world is changed.» This phrase has appeared to me countless times; in newspapers, on templates, television, and online articles. Always resonating, striking a profound chord. It brought me to Julian Barnes and his piece ‘Levels of Life’, an unconventional novel filled with literary experiments that remains grounded and deeply relatable. The book brings together three seemingly unrelated stories that ultimately reveal hidden connections and subtle bonds.
Levels of Life explores the adventure of living, the impossible challenges, the all-encompassing nature of love, and the pain of loss. It weaves these themes through three independent parts. The first one talks about the pioneers of ballooning and the early attempts at aerial photography by Nadar, who aspired to be the eye of God. In the second story, we delve into the world of the British Colonel Fred Burnaby—a bohemian, adventurer, and traveller who died in Khartoum—and his infatuation with the iconic French actress Sarah Bernhardt. The third part jumps from the 19th to the 20th century and from other people's stories to his own: the death of his wife.
«You put two people together who haven’t been together before, and sometimes the world changes and sometimes it doesn’t. They may crash and burn, or burn and crash. But sometimes something new is made, and then the world changes. Together, in that first exhilaration, in that first roaring elevation, they are greater than their two separate egos. Together they see further and more clearly.»
Barnes' ability to juxtapose the whimsical with the profound makes Levels of Life a unique reading experience. His blend of seemingly unrelated elements ultimately reveals a deeper, more emotional connection. The result is a book that breaks genre barriers and achieves an illuminating depth and beauty. The author is no stranger to experimenting with literary forms. In this book, he breaks away from traditional narrative structures in an adventure of great depth. He explores the pain of losing a loved one with a clear-eyed perspective, navigating the landscape of grief with the power of his prose and cadence.
Born in Leicester in 1946, Julian Barnes is known for his witty and insightful novels exploring human nature. He's garnered prestigious awards like the Booker Prize for ‘The Sense of an Ending’, solidifying his place as a major voice in contemporary fiction.
Furthermore, the circumstances behind the writing of the book add another layer of meaning. Published after the loss of his wife, the grief echoes in every line. It is an unusually intimate and honest book about love, masterfully orchestrated. A response to the incomprehensible in a secular culture where we struggle to accept death. A short novel on a monumental subject that invites us to visit what he calls 'the tropics of sorrow,' the wildest and most desolate territory described by Lévi-Strauss in his memoirs.
In ‘Levels of Life’, Barnes doesn't just tell a story; he invites readers into an intimate exploration of love and loss. The art piece is a testament to the transformative power of bringing together disparate elements to create something new and profoundly moving.
Le Paul.
This review is also featured in International Alianza Magazine, Issue 13, where I have the pleasure of writing a monthly column on literature.