Confusing book with a lot of 'navel-gazing.' Why did Veronica expect this gent to understand where she was coming from? She was, indeed, a 'fruitcake.' At least by the end we understand why the diary was meant for Tony.The redeeming bits were the observations about how life unfolds, such as the thoughts on experience being accumulative vs. additive.

You either LOVE this book or you HATE it. I personally fell on the side that didn't like the book at all. The best part about the book was it is less than 2oo pages.

The Angus Glen Book club really enjoyed this book. We would recommend this title as a great book club read as well as the author's book "Arthur and George"

This is a story for a middle aged man. There is very little insight into what makes Tony tick, why he has chosen the safest path through life and why he is so compelled, in his early old age, to look up an old girl friend who still tells him, after all these years "you don't get it". I don't get it either. The author has a compelling command of English, I enjoyed the letters written by friend Adrian and some of his succinct emails to the old girlfriend. Read the book through, it is short, but don't expect a great reveal at the end to pull the insipid plot together.

Honestly, I didn't really think the story, or the writing was all that compelling. What I appreciated was the genuine attempt at trying to address a vision of one's own life, and the seemingly candid exploration of memories, past events, and human interactions within. Introspection is sure to follow.

Winner 2011 Man Booker Prize. One of the best novels I've read recently. Try to read it in one sitting (163 pp.) which I think you would anyway after you start it. A portrayal of the main character shifting from youth to late middle age with a subtle transition of voice which really left me in awe of the writing.  I wanted to start reading it again immediately. A surprisingly shocking ending which I did not anticipate. Veronica, the main character’s first love, tells him several times, "You don't get it. You never did" and we the reader don’t “get it” either until the last few pages. A subtle, nuanced portrayal of regret, realization of loss, and acceptance of the inevitability of one’s own “ending”.

Some amusing bits early on, but the second half is maudlin and pointless -- a lonely old gent searching for some meaning to his life and settling for guilt. Not enough substance for a novel; it's really a drawn-out short story.

Very concise, very British tale of how memory through time can be deceptive. The memories recounted by the main character convey a beautifully profound sense of loss and regret.

Codman Square Booker Prize

Worthy of the Booker prize. Compact novel that reveals its themes as it causes the reader to open himself accordingly. Beautifully written.