The Sense of an Ending (2011) is a novel by English author Julian Barnes. Composed of two chapters, the book follows the life of Tony Webster, a retired man looking back on his youth and reflecting on his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Veronica Ford, and an enigmatic friend, Adrian Finn. The title alludes to the meaning and closure Tony seeks as he nears the end of his life. The novel was met with critical acclaim upon its release, winning England’s Man Booker Prize, and was adapted into a film of the same name in 2017. Other works by this author include England, England (1998), The Noise of Time (2016), and The Only Story (2018).

This guide uses the 2011 Kindle e-book edition published by Alfred A. Knopf.

Content Warning: This guide and source material contain references to suicide and sexual abuse.

Plot Summary

The Sense of an Ending is about Tony Webster’s quest to unravel the truth about his past. After receiving a letter from a lawyer regarding a mysterious bequest, Tony tries to grasp the significance of an inheritance and its connection to his former flame, Veronica, and his dead buddy, Adrian. The story’s main conflict arises from Tony’s realization that his memories of the past may not be as accurate as he once believed, leading him on a journey of introspection and self-discovery. A subconflict emerges as Tony confronts the strained relationship between his younger self and his friends during his school years.

The action rises and intensifies as Tony becomes preoccupied with the past and the missing pieces of his memory. He attempts to reconnect with Veronica to discuss the bequest, which is Adrian’s diary, but their interactions are tense and uneasy, and Veronica claims she’s burned the diary. Tony also visits Veronica’s brother, Jack, hoping to understand her diffident attitude, only to be met with resistance and hostility.

Tony finally reads a page of Adrian’s diary. The revelations in the diary force Tony to confront the truth about his past actions and their consequences, leading to a significant turning point in his understanding of the events that shaped his life.

In the falling action, Tony grapples with the implications of the diary’s contents and the ways in which his memories have been selective and unreliable. The clarity he sought is shattered, and he must come to terms with the complexity of the past and its impact on the present.

Veronica’s disclosure about the true circumstances surrounding Adrian’s death leads to a final revelation that shifts Tony’s perception of the past once again. This discovery challenges Tony’s assumptions about his past and redefines his relationship with Adrian and Veronica.