Intelligence Squared Julian Barnes in conversation with Ian McEwan (Part Two)
Feb 3, 2026
Ian McEwan, a celebrated British novelist known for Atonement, and Julian Barnes, acclaimed author of The Sense of an Ending, trade friendship and craft. They explore first lines, memory and mortality, rereads of classics, the logic behind announcing a final novel, animals in fiction, prize anecdotes and advice for emerging writers. The conversation moves between wit and reflective moments.
43:05
Reading Deepens Life
- Reading deepens life rather than offering escape, according to Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan.
- Books rewire perception and become intertwined with lived experience.
First Lines Emerge, Don't Arrive
- Both authors treat first lines as emergent, not fixed; they may start mid-scene and work backward.
- The right opening often appears after finding the novel's initiating movement and conflict.
The Jack Russell Called Jimmy
- Julian Barnes recounts his Jack Russell Jimmy and how the dog favored human food and bit after sunset.
- Ian McEwan and Barnes share the line "he doesn't even know he's a dog" as a comic observation about Jimmy.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Beginnings: Rereading War and Dante
01:30 • 3min
On First Lines and Their Power
04:56 • 3min
Craft: Finding a Novel's True Start
07:47 • 1min
Truth, Lies and Famous First Lines
09:13 • 2min
Life and Reading Intertwined
11:00 • 4min
The Dog in Fiction and Memory
15:04 • 4min
Death, Nagel and Larkin's Resonance
18:56 • 3min
Announcing a Final Novel
22:12 • 2min
When to Take Your Bow
24:41 • 2min
Writing as a Way of Being
26:25 • 45sec
Ad break
27:11 • 2min
Audience Questions: Diagnosis and Life Choices
29:11 • 1min
Unfinished Books and Flaubert
30:35 • 2min
Booker Prize Memories and Missed Wins
32:51 • 2min
Advice to Emerging Novelists
34:56 • 46sec
Autofiction: Strengths and Limits
35:42 • 3min
Final Reading: Saying Goodbye
38:23 • 4min
Outro
42:47 • 24sec
#13113
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Changing My Mind
Julian Barnes
#
Reflections on Ordinary Matters
Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False
Thomas Nagel
Search results extensively cover Thomas Nagel's essays like 'Moral Luck' and 'The Absurd', and books such as 'Mind and Cosmos', but provide no information on a book called 'Reflections on Ordinary Matters'.
It may be a misremembered title or unpublished work; Nagel's known writings focus on philosophy of mind, morality, and the limits of materialism.
#
The porcupine
Julian Barnes
Set in a fictional country inspired by Bulgaria, the novel follows the trial of former dictator Stoyo Petkanov, loosely based on Todor Zhivkov, as he defends himself against prosecutor Peter Solinsky using the regime's own laws.
Through multiple perspectives, including students watching on TV, Barnes examines the blurred lines between old ideology and new ideals, questioning history, nationalism, and the challenges of transitioning from communism.
The story highlights moral ambiguities, showing Petkanov as cunning and principled, and warns that overthrowing a corrupt regime does not guarantee a better future.
#56265
Bouvard et Pécuchet
Gustave Flaubert
Publié à titre posthume en 1881, 'Bouvard et Pécuchet' est un roman inachevé de Gustave Flaubert.
Il suit les mésaventures de deux employés de bureau, François Bouvard et Juste Pécuchet, qui, après avoir hérité d'une fortune, abandonnent leurs emplois pour explorer divers domaines du savoir.
Le roman critique les prétentions de la bourgeoisie et les dangers de la connaissance superficielle.
À travers leurs échecs répétés, Flaubert explore les thèmes de l'ignorance et de la quête vaine de la connaissance.
#46500
The Magic Lantern
An Autobiography
Ingmar Bergman
The Magic Lantern is a non-linear autobiography that explores Ingmar Bergman's life through vivid vignettes, covering his rural Swedish upbringing, his work in theater and film, and his tumultuous personal life.
The book offers a unique insight into Bergman's creative process and personal reflections, making it as personal and penetrating as his films.
#29146
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The good soldiers
David Finkel
#
Amsterdam
Russell Shorto
In 'Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City', Russell Shorto explores the city's unique history, from its origins as a small fishing village to its rise as a major trading port and center of cultural and economic liberalism.
The book delves into Amsterdam's role in fostering political and economic freedom, its Golden Age, and its enduring legacy as a beacon of tolerance and innovation.
#8692
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Metroland
Julian Barnes
'Metroland', set in the London suburb of Metroland and Paris, explores themes of youthful rebellion, love, and the compromises of adulthood.
The novel is divided into three parts, chronicling the protagonist Christopher Lloyd's adolescent experiences, his passionate affair in Paris, and his eventual return to a conventional life in Metroland.
Through Christopher's journey, Barnes examines the conflict between idealism and reality, the allure of foreign cultures, and the challenges of maintaining youthful fervor as one ages.
The narrative blends humor and introspection, capturing the nuances of human relationships and the complexities of self-discovery.
'Metroland' is a coming-of-age story that resonates with readers who have grappled with similar questions of identity and purpose.
#70
• Mentioned in 206 episodes
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.
The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis.
It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth.
The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.
#1815
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Atonement
Ian McEwan
The novel centers around Briony Tallis, a thirteen-year-old girl who, in 1935, witnesses a flirtation between her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant.
Briony's incomplete grasp of adult motives and her precocious imagination lead her to make a false accusation that changes all their lives.
The story follows the repercussions of this event through World War II and into the late 20th century, as Briony spends her life trying to make amends for her mistake.
The novel is a complex exploration of guilt, atonement, and the nature of writing and memory.
#95676
The Commedia
The Comedy
Dante Alighieri
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem by Dante Alighieri, considered one of the most important works of Italian literature.
The poem is divided into three parts: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise).
It tells the story of Dante's journey through the afterlife, guided by the Roman poet Virgil through Hell and Purgatory, and by his idealized love Beatrice through Paradise.
The poem explores themes of sin, redemption, and the nature of God, and is known for its vivid imagery, complex symbolism, and profound theological insights.
#15615
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Brighton Rock
Graham Greene
Published in 1938, *Brighton Rock* is a novel by Graham Greene that delves into the dark underworld of Brighton during the 1930s.
The story revolves around Pinkie Brown, a 17-year-old gang leader who is both cruel and violent.
After the murder of a journalist named Fred Hale, who had exposed Pinkie's gang's activities, Pinkie's world begins to unravel.
Ida Arnold, a middle-aged woman who had a brief encounter with Hale, becomes determined to bring Pinkie to justice.
The novel explores themes of good versus evil, Catholicism, and the moral complexities of its characters.
Greene's vivid descriptions and the gripping plot make *Brighton Rock* a compelling and haunting read.
#2891
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
Flaubert's parrot
Julian Barnes
In 'Flaubert's Parrot', Julian Barnes crafts a unique narrative that follows Geoffrey Braithwaite, a retired English doctor, as he delves into the life of Gustave Flaubert.
The story revolves around Braithwaite's quest to identify the authentic stuffed parrot that inspired Flaubert's story 'Un Coeur Simple'.
The novel explores various aspects of Flaubert's life, Braithwaite's own reflections on his wife's death, and themes of subjectivism, the nature of biography, and the complexities of artistic creation.
The book is characterized by its non-traditional narrative structure, blending elements of biography, fiction, and personal memoir.
#4138
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
Nothing to be Frightened Of
George Orwell
Julian Barnes's 'Nothing to be Frightened Of' is a philosophical exploration of mortality and the human condition.
The book delves into the author's personal reflections on death, aging, and the meaning of life, weaving together personal anecdotes, historical references, and philosophical musings.
Barnes tackles the complexities of human existence, examining themes of love, loss, and the acceptance of mortality.
The novel's unique blend of personal narrative and intellectual inquiry makes it a compelling read for those contemplating life's big questions.
The book's title itself is a reflection of the author's perspective on death, suggesting a sense of acceptance and peace in the face of the unknown.
#3066
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
L'étranger
Albert Camus
Published in 1942, 'L'étranger' follows Meursault, a man who lives in Algiers and is characterized by his emotional detachment and indifference to societal norms.
The novel is divided into two parts, the first detailing Meursault's life before he kills an unnamed Arab man, and the second exploring the aftermath of this event.
The story delves into themes of existentialism, the absurdity of human existence, and the tensions between French colonizers and native Algerians.
Camus's writing style, marked by its sparse and detached nature, emphasizes the existential outlook on life and the meaningless universe that Meursault inhabits.
#94848
Departure
Alan Wake
Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan are widely celebrated as two of the finest writers of their generation. Along with Salman Rushdie and Kazuo Ishiguro, they were included on Granta’s prescient Best Young British Novelists list in 1993 and have gone on to write some of the most memorable novels of the past three decades.
In January 2026 they came together to discuss the book that Barnes says will be his last, Departure(s). It follows a man named Stephen and a woman called Jean who fall in love when they are young and again when they are old. Barnes and McEwan will draw on the themes of the book to discuss topics including philosophy, art, the slipperiness of memory, the passage of time, mortality and grief.This was a rare opportunity to hear two of the most celebrated voices in contemporary British literature discussing their craft and reflections on life.
This event was presented in partnership with Waterstones.
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