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The Noise of Time

By Julian Barnes
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Check link for latest rating. ( 26,354 ratings, 2,775 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes is a poignant exploration of the life of a Soviet composer grappling with the tension between artistic integrity and political survival. Set against the backdrop of Stalin's regime, it delves into the struggles of creating art under oppression, examining themes of fear, compromise, and the enduring power of music. This evocative narrative combines historical context with deep introspection, offering a rich depiction of an artist's inner turmoil.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are intrigued by the internal struggles of artists under oppressive regimes and enjoy exploring profound themes of fear, creativity, and survival. Julian Barnes delves into the life of a Soviet composer, offering a vivid portrayal of the tension between personal integrity and external pressures, providing a moving narrative that resonates with historical depth and emotional insight.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

In May 1937, a man in his early thirties waits by the lift of a Leningrad apartment block. He waits all through the night, expecting to be taken away to the Big House. Any celebrity he has known in the previous decade is no use to him now. And few who are taken to the Big House ever return.

A compelling novel about art and power, courage and cowardice from the Booker-winning author of The Sense of An Ending

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A compelling novel about art and power, courage and cowardice from the Booker-winning author of The Sense of an Ending.

BARNES'S MASTERPIECE - OBSERVER

In May 1937 a man in his early thirties waits by the lift of a Leningrad apartment block. He waits all through the night, expecting to be taken away to the Big House. Any celebrity he has known in the previous decade is no use to him now. And few who are taken to the Big House ever return.

Stunning - Sunday Times

A profound meditation on power and the relationship of art and power... It is a masterpiece of sympathetic understanding... I don't think Barnes has written a finer, more truthful or more profound book - Scotsman

A tour de force by a master novelist at the top of his game - Daily Express

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes is highly praised as a powerful and affecting novel, depicting a musician’s battle with totalitarianism through exquisite detail and intelligence. Critics highlight its brilliance and insight into the protagonist's complex relationship with power, likening its narrative to a musical composition. The book is celebrated for its emotional depth, elegant storytelling, and masterful depiction of Soviet life, capturing the nuances of art, courage, and the unpredictability of fate.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784703325

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 January 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 156g

Pages: 192

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Julian Barnes Literary Fiction Penguin Books

About the Author

Julian Barnes is the author of thirteen novels, including The Sense of an Ending, which won the 2011 Booker Prize for Fiction, and Sunday Times bestsellers The Noise of Time and The Only Story. He has also written three books of short stories, four collections of essays and four works of non-fiction, including the Sunday Times number one bestseller Levels of Life and Nothing to Be Frightened Of. He was awarded the David Cohen Prize for lifetime contribution to literature in 2011, and the Legion d'Honneur in 2017.

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