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The Noise of Time

Questions About The Noise of Time

by Julian Barnes

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Answered Questions (3)

I have really enjoyed Julian Barnes' writing, especially Sense of an Ending, but I am really struggling with his latest. Is anyone else feeling this way? I'm so disappointed but I haven't quite finished it yet - maybe it will come together in the last 50 pages.
Marianna This book is written in the rhythms of Shostakovitch's music. If you let the waves of music sweep over you, you'll get the rhythm and appreciate the b…moreThis book is written in the rhythms of Shostakovitch's music. If you let the waves of music sweep over you, you'll get the rhythm and appreciate the book. It is beautifully written, but requires some background knowledge of the Stalinist era in the Soviet Union (perhaps that's what's holding you back from loving this book). (less)
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In The Noise of Time, Julian Barnes refers to the "story of Prokofiev's pyjamas". So what story us that?
Ghita That's actually one of the things I like about the book: he mentions things that are only picked up much later. Feels like echoes traveling through th…moreThat's actually one of the things I like about the book: he mentions things that are only picked up much later. Feels like echoes traveling through the book. (less)
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I’ve read this book in a perspective which goes beyond-Soviet-Russia, trying to understand a hypothetical universal appeal in the inner monologues of Barnes’ Shostakovich. Do you think a reader can find in its pages a very interesting view about the meaning of artistic dissidence in the former East European regimes?
Bonnie The larger questions Barnes explores are about Truth, Art, and Power (not mere leadership, but heartless Power that lives only for its own sake). Can …moreThe larger questions Barnes explores are about Truth, Art, and Power (not mere leadership, but heartless Power that lives only for its own sake). Can an artist 'speak' Truth to Power and remain alive? Remain productive? Remain heard? Remain truthful? Questions for our own times. Good to keep that wider perspective!(less)
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Unanswered Questions (3)

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