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A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters

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A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters

By: Julian Barnes
Narrated by: Alex Jennings
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About this listen

This is one of the defining novels of English writer Julian Barnes. An entertaining melange of stories, starting with a contemporary account of the launch of Noah's Ark, takes us into unexpected areas of human foibles, activities, and tendencies.

After success with the main novels of Haruki Murakami, Naxos AudioBooks turns its attention to other major literary works of recent times.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©1989 Julian Barnes (P)2007 Naxos Rights International Anthologies & Short Stories Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary Short Stories

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Critic reviews

“Barnes's witty and sometimes acerbic retelling of the history of the world. The stories are connected, if only tangentially, which is precisely Barnes's point: historians may tell us that "there was a pattern," but history is "just voices echoing in the dark . . . strange links, impertinent connections." Fascinating reading from the author of Flaubert's Parrot.” (Library Journal)
"Frequently brilliant, funny, thoughtful, iconoclastic and a delight to read." (Salman Rushdie)
All stars
Most relevant  
The first brilliant chapter and chapter 8 in particular will stay with me. Very direct conversational style of story telling which ranges far and wide and delivered by a perfectly pitched narrator. Brilliant writer.

Brilliant writer

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This is like a collection of short stories that have an overlap with characters and themes, without quite making it seem like it is just one whole story. I found it was a very pleasant listen and quite enlightening, a few laugh out loud moments too. I really liked the style of the stories all being so different but having a common thread linking them all in some way. There were a couple of parts I found went a little bit off what I would normally expect to listen to but I was quite suprised to find I was happily engaged by them and neither went on long enough that I lost interest, just enough to be interesting. Well narrated, well written and entertaining. Will give some of the other titles by this author a listen.

Entertaining, often funny

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I like short stories and so this was perfect, for that is what the book is, basically. A series of short, often very different stories. Some are sad, some savage, some dry, witty and wry.

The narration was perfect.

I have given it 4 stars overall partly because of the reader; the story (such as it is, there isn't one, really) gets only 3. So if a book that has a beginning, middle and end is your cup of tea, this might not be. It's not a novel, it's a series of (very lightly) linked tales.

Odd - but enjoyable

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A mixed bag of thoughts, observations and emotions.... No regrets, just shallow and deep recollections in equal measure, scribblings and narrative too .... Brilliant. - a Filbert Street intellectual, not many of those around!

A Foxes fan, a rant, a ramble

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Fantastic, instant classic, thought provoking, brilliant story telling, I can't recommend this book enough. I've read it three times and now listened to the audiobook.

Fantastic! Instant classic!

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My second Julian Barnes and in places this one was excellent. I did also find however that there were times it seemed to drift off. Overall though, a good read

Hit and miss but enjoyed overall

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in literature and good listening. It is a brilliant book which has been excellently narrated by Alex Jennings.

What other book might you compare A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters to, and why?

This book is unlike anything else. It is a true one-off. Julian Barnes looks at the world with a unique perspective.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I loved the first and final chapters. The final is very thought-provoking but that is no surprise as the whole book makes the listener think about the various themes.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is too long for that. But I did skip through it quite quickly.

Any additional comments?

This is an exceptional book and one that can be listened to many times over. Recommended.

Wonderful audio book

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Thought provoking and interesting book.
Narration is superb.
Barnes is definitely trying to tell us something here.

Beautiful writing beautifully read.

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Found the book relaxing but title of the book being misleading. Random loosely related stories seems like a better fit.

Curious choice of the title

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