A retrospection on history, love, memory, and mortality

 “What Makes a Novelist” takes us into the mind of Julian Barnes, one of the greatest English writers of the last 100 years. This is a four-part lecture series reconstructed from a 90-minute-long interview with him.

 Wex plore his journey from writing novel reviews and editing literary journals to becoming an established novelist. His first lecture provides a deep dive into the virtues and extensive knowledge he has accumulated over four decades in writing. The second lecture, "How to Talk About Death with a Smile," delves into prevalent themes in his work such as "vague memory" and "mortality," showcasing his ability to address the discomforts of human existence with dark humor.

 In the latter part of the series, provides a heartfelt examination of his personal insights into love and its enduring impact following the loss of his wife. The series concludes with a discussion on the essence of novel-writing, where Barnes, as a "hybrid writer," explores the boundless potential of novels and the attitudes necessary for novelists to truly capture the breadth of human experience.