Nothing to Be Frightened of Audiobook

" I'm not quite sure what to make of this memoir (long essay?). Novelist Julian Barnes writes about his thoughts, and those of other writers, theologians, scientists, etc., about confronting the end of life. He writes with humor, and the book is best when he is talking about himself. Barnes certainly has a breadth of knowledge and acquaintenceship with other writers, philosophers, etc. He raises enough questions that I suspect almost any reader can find something personally meaningful in this short work. But I'm not sure he truly has anything new to say about facing death. Still, he writes well and is willing to put himself in print on this topic. I'd be curious what others think about this book. "

" I might have rated it higher, but somehow, being in a Depression and all, I was a little less excited about reading about Schopenhauer, atheism, and death. "

" After a slow, clunky start (resist the urge to stop within the first thirty pages) this is an amazing read for anyone who has ever wondered what, if anything, lies beyond death. Atheist, agnostic, wavering-Barnes writes beautifully about his own thoughts of mortality shaped by the experiences of his family, ancestors, and other (dead) writers. This isn't a book for those fortunate enough to have a rock solid faith. "

" A hilarious but also frightening meditation on death. It is also a partial autobiography and a reflection on writing as well. Filled with great lines from what he calls his "non-blood relatives"--mostly French writers and Russian composers. "

" Borrowed this from the library; got halfway through and bought my own copy; finished it; then didn't put it down but started it again. It's this good. "

" i'm starting to wish he would die just so i wouldn't have to listen to him talk about it anymore. death seems so much more interesting when i'm the one thinking about it. "

" I found it boring. I guess I'm just not that interested in death. "

" It is an interesting read about writers in history on the topic of death. "

" A pleasingly unfocussed ramble on death from 2008. "

" Better, I think, than his Booker winner "The Sense of an Ending." "

" Witty, thought-provoking, surprisingly humorous discussion of the end of life. "

" Books are all about opinions but if you don't find Julian Barnes compelling to read, you may need to check yourself for a soul. He writes with spectacular clarity without compromising complexity of thought "

" One of the most intelligent, thought-provoking and interesting books I have read in years. I am now reading his other books. So far, I like them all. Great author. "

" The lion in Winter. Contemplations of family and mortality. Well done, and honest...even when it hurts. "

" Another strange read. A philosophical memoir discussing death and especially the fear of death. I found so many tidbits, clever thoughts and things to enjoy. However, I struggled to get through this book...seemed so rambling and formless. A bit hard to recommend, unfortunately. "

" Best book I read last year. "

" The two stars just means that I couldn't finish it--not that it's bad. It's just too smart for me. "

" It was interesting to hear his thoughts on death and how they compared to other writers in history, but it ran a bit long. The first 200 pages are good but the last 50 are repetitive. "

" Incredible - reading it is like sitting across the table and sharing a glass of wine with Barnes as he talks about is family, his life and his view of what happens when.... His wit, intelligence and human vulnerability are deeply touching. "

" Best nonfiction book I read in 2008. A book-length essay as a mediation on death - on the fact that I am going to die, no matter what, that it sucks, and that there are no real good consolations for this banal fact. "

" The prose of Julian Barnes is like a smooth pint of Guinness. His introspection and observations of life and death are illuminating and in the end, inspirational. "

" Who ever thought death could be so funny? I love this book by Barnes. And his wit reminds me of someone I know & whose humor I love. "

" a clever memoir of a sort -- memoir and meditation, i guess, but a meditation with a clever and sophisticated sense of humour... "

" Interesting premise, but a bit too academic for my taste. "

" Obsessive philosophical musing about death and dying, just my kind of quirkiness! "

" the compleat thanatophobe kit. wry, wise and engaging. "

" Been wanting to read this for a long time and finally caught up with it via Powell's (<3) in Portland. A rollicking, literate memoir on mortality - I still have death-phobia after reading, but at least I felt better about it for a little while. "

" Death is final, but literature is not. Until you reach your last reader. When Barnes calls his last reader a 'bastard' my heart sang. If you want to know why, read the book. "