Levels of Life

Barnes gives precise, inventive examples of two things or people coming together "and the world is changed", and what happens when they are pulled apart. Fred Burnaby, a 19th century Brit and member of the Royal Horse Guards pairs up with ballooning; the French photographer Nadar pairs ballooning with photography, and himself with Sarah Bernhardt; and Burnaby also pairs up with Bernhardt in a fictional encounter. In the final section, Barnes mourns the death of his wife: their pairing and then pulling apart when she dies from an unexpected illness. Using metaphors of height and depth, along with the pairings and comings apart, Barnes brilliantly explores grief's corners, and his own palpable sorrow at the loss of someone he clearly and profoundly loved.

I would have liked to give this book a five star rating, but people are different - and although the description of death and grief is touching, I don't know if I can regognize it - thankfully.
The most interesting part: How Julian Barnes grapples with loss, and how he handles all those helpless souls trying to comfort, help, distance themselves or whatver they do to meet the author in his sorrow.

For photographers, the first part of the book is a must read, as it's all about Nadar, the great 19th century portrait and aerial photographer.