Product Description
In matters of love and friendship, how much can be endured? What might be forgiven? And who--given the inevitable, knotty complications--is desirable still? From such questions, and using all the surprising, sophisticated ingredients of a delightful farce, Julian Barnes has created a tragicomedy of human frailties and needs. Love, etc. stars three characters introduced a decade ago in Talking It Over--to which this novel has an eerie, freestanding relation. Which is precisely how Stuart feels toward Gillian, his wife before his witty, feckless, former best friend Oliver stole her away. True, he did make a fuss at their subsequent wedding, and spied on them in their French village; but he was agreeable about the divorce, moved to America, remarried briefly, prospered, then returned to London shortly after Oliver and Gillian, avec les enfants, did. Meanwhile, Oliver's artistic ambitions have turned to ashes in his mouth, so it's Gillian supporting the household--until Stuart rejoins them. What transpires to further complicate the situation doesn't bear repeating, especially as the three principals (along with many others) are allowed to speak directly to the reader, to whisper their secrets and argue their own particular versions of what actually happened, and why. Indeed, emerging from this crux are a number of truths we all live by: faith and generosity, trust and commitment, toward ourselves and our loved ones; or, absent those, banality and even brutality. Every bit as funny and intelligent as anything Julian Barnes has written, Love, etc. is also fabulously engaging, powerfully dramatic, and profoundly unsettling.
Julian Barnes Love, Etc. By (Hardcover)
In matters of love and friendship, how much can be endured? What might be forgiven? And who--given the inevitable, knotty complications--is desirable still? From such questions, and using all the surprising, sophisticated ingredients of a delightful farce, Julian Barnes has created a tragicomedy of human frailties and needs. Love, etc. stars three characters introduced a decade ago in Talking It Over--to which this novel has an eerie, freestanding relation. Which is precisely how Stuart feels toward Gillian, his wife before his witty, feckless, former best friend Oliver stole her away. True, he did make a fuss at their subsequent wedding, and spied on them in their French village; but he was agreeable about the divorce, moved to America, remarried briefly, prospered, then returned to London shortly after Oliver and Gillian, avec les enfants, did. Meanwhile, Oliver's artistic ambitions have turned to ashes in his mouth, so it's Gillian supporting the household--until Stuart rejoins them. What transpires to further complicate the situation doesn't bear repeating, especially as the three principals (along with many others) are allowed to speak directly to the reader, to whisper their secrets and argue their own particular versions of what actually happened, and why. Indeed, emerging from this crux are a number of truths we all live by: faith and generosity, trust and commitment, toward ourselves and our loved ones; or, absent those, banality and even brutality. Every bit as funny and intelligent as anything Julian Barnes has written, Love, etc. is also fabulously engaging, powerfully dramatic, and profoundly unsettling.
Delivery, Returns & Refunds
Delivery
Sellers offer a range of delivery options, so you can choose the one that’s most convenient for you. Many sellers offer free delivery. You can always find the postage cost and estimated delivery date in a seller’s listing. You'll then be able to see a full list of delivery options during checkout. These can include: Express delivery, Standard delivery, Economy delivery, Click & Collect, Free local collection from seller.
Returns
Your options for returning an item vary depending on what you want to return, why you want to return it, and the seller's return policy. If the item is damaged or doesn't match the listing description, you can return it even if the seller's returns policy says they don't accept returns. If you've changed your mind and no longer want an item, you can still request a return, but the seller doesn't have to accept it. If the buyer changes their mind about a purchase and wants to return an item, they may need to pay return postage costs, depending on the seller's return policy. Sellers can provide a return postage address and additional return postage information for the buyer. Sellers pay for return postage if there's a problem with the item. For example, if the item doesn't match the listing description, is damaged or defective or is counterfeit. By law, customers in the European Union also have the right to cancel the purchase of an item within 14 days beginning from the day you receive, or a third party indicated by you (other than the carrier) receives, the last good ordered by you (if delivered separately). This applies to all products except for digital items (e.g. Digital Music) that are provided immediately to you with your acknowledgment, and other items such as video, DVD, audio, video games, Sex and Sensuality products and software products where the item has been unsealed.
Refunds
Sellers have to offer a refund for certain items only if they are faulty, such as: Personalized items and custom-made items, Perishable items, Newspapers and magazines, Unwrapped CDs DVDs and computer software. If you used your PayPal balance or bank account to fund the original payment, the refunded money will go back to your PayPal account balance. If you used a credit or debit card to fund the original payment, the refunded money will go back to your card. The seller will effect the refund within three working days but it may take up to 30 days for Paypal to process the transfer. For payments funded partially by a card and partially by your balance/bank, the money taken from your card will go back to your card and the remainder will return to your PayPal balance.