Julian Barnes has revealed that his new novel will be his last.
In an interview with the Telegraph, a U.K. newspaper, the author said, “One way of thinking about how long you go on is, As long as they’ll still publish you. But that can be misleading. I shouldn’t write a book just because it would be published. You ought to go on until you’ve said everything you’ve got to say, and I’ve reached that point.”
Barnes, 80, worked as a lexicographer and a journalist before making his literary debut in 1980 with the novel Metroland. He went on to publish more than a dozen more novels, including three that were shortlisted for the Booker Prize: Flaubert’s Parrot; England, England; and Arthur & George. He won the Booker for his 2011 novel, The Sense of an Ending. He is also the author of three short story collections and several works of nonfiction.
His latest—and last—novel, aptly titled Departure(s), is scheduled for publication in the U.S. Tuesday by Knopf. It’s narrated by a writer named Julian Barnes, looking back on his life and friendships. A critic for Kirkus wrote of the book, “If it’s indeed the end, Barnes has closed his career gracefully.”
Barnes told the Telegraph that while Departure(s) will be his last novel, he’s not done with writing.
“I won’t stop writing, because I’ve been a journalist all my life, before I became a novelist,” he said. “So I shall do journalism, reviews, and things like that. But in terms of books, this is my last.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
