Levels of Life by Julian Barnes (2013) – A Review
Levels of Life by Julian Barnes (2013) – A Review
In Levels of Life, Julian Barnes blends fiction and non-fiction to create a profound meditation on love, loss, and the process of grieving. Written as an essay, memoir, and novel, Levels of Life reflects on Barnes’s experience of losing his wife, literary agent Pat Kavanagh, and the emotional complexities that accompany such a profound loss. Through a unique narrative structure, the book weaves together themes of photography, ballooning, and marriage, creating an evocative exploration of the ways in which love and loss intersect in human experience.
The Intersection of Fiction and Non-Fiction
One of the most distinctive features of Levels of Life is Barnes’s blending of fiction and non-fiction. The book is divided into three parts: the first focuses on the history of ballooning, the second on the invention of photography, and the third on the personal experience of grief following the death of Barnes’s wife. The first two sections, which are more fictionalized, serve as metaphors for the emotional and intellectual weight of the final section, which deals with Barnes’s own experience of loss.
Barnes’s inventive structure allows him to explore grief from multiple angles—both intellectual and emotional—creating a rich and complex narrative. The interplay between the historical and the personal adds depth to the narrative, allowing Barnes to reflect on the themes of love, loss, and the human desire to understand and transcend the pain of separation.
Themes of Grief, Love, and Memory
At its core, Levels of Life is a meditation on grief and the emotional weight of loss. Barnes’s reflections on the death of his wife are candid and raw, capturing the pain and confusion of living without a loved one. The book explores how memory works in the wake of loss—how we hold on to the past, and how that past shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The theme of love also runs throughout the book, particularly in the way that Barnes’s relationship with his wife becomes a source of both joy and sorrow. The book examines how love is not just a feeling but a series of shared experiences and memories that can never be fully erased, even after death.
The Power of Photography and Ballooning as Metaphors
The book’s first two sections—on ballooning and photography—serve as metaphors for the emotional and intellectual challenges of grieving. Barnes uses the history of ballooning as a symbol of human aspiration and the desire to transcend earthly limitations. Similarly, photography is used to explore the way in which we capture moments in time and attempt to hold on to memories, even though those moments inevitably fade.
These metaphors serve to frame Barnes’s personal experience of loss, allowing him to explore the process of mourning in a more abstract, intellectual way before diving into the emotional rawness of his grief.
Conclusion: A Poignant Reflection on Life, Love, and Loss
In conclusion, Levels of Life is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of love, grief, and memory. Julian Barnes’s unique narrative structure and his blending of fiction and non-fiction create a powerful meditation on the emotional impact of loss. Through his reflections on photography, ballooning, and his personal experience, Barnes offers readers a moving and intellectual exploration of the ways in which love endures even in the face of death.
