It’s not often that a book leaves a reader with the feeling that they’ve run an emotional marathon. But this is the effect that Julian Barnes’ new novel The Sense of An Ending elicits.

Even more remarkable is the short space in which this is achieved. It seems perverse that people should be complaining about whether or not it is long enough for the Booker shortlist: this is really one of its strengths.

Here are 150 bleak, cathartic pages, packed with the struggle of the disturbingly ordinary Tony Webster. The novel begins with an explanation of the protagonist’s school years, focusing on his book-hungry clique as they discover new ideas and experiment with old taboos. Through the narrative, Barnes succeeds in creating a disquieting sense of nostalgia, exploring the character’s insecurities and his inability to move forward.

The second part of the book follows Webster’s student years as he confronts experiences with women, sex, and his own disillusionment, the former eventually coming to jeopardise both friendships and life. Barnes makes the reader work to decipher the conclusion, which is reached towards the end of the final section focusing on the character’s brutally directionless retirement. Tony Webster’s past relationships and tragic inadequacies return with cataclysmic effect.

The constant stream of 1960s language might become a little wearing after a while, but this is an intensely clever book. It is as fast-paced as a page-turning thriller, and as emotionally demanding as a German romantic novel. Don’t be fooled by the length. If you look for value for money in your books, this is thirteen pounds well spent.

 Four Stars