Julian Barnes in conversation with Ian McEwan (Part One) - intelligence-squared-u-s-debates Recap
Podcast: intelligence-squared-u-s-debates
Published: 2026-02-02
Duration: 39 minutes
Guests: Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan
Summary
Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan discuss Barnes' final novel 'Departures,' delving into themes of memory, mortality, and the passage of time, while reflecting on their five-decade-long friendship and literary journey.
What Happened
Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan, two of Britain's most renowned novelists, come together for a rare public discussion, marking their first time sharing a stage despite a friendship spanning five decades. Barnes introduces his latest and final novel, 'Departures,' which explores complex themes such as memory, mortality, and the passage of time through the story of Stephen and Jean, who fall in love in their youth and reunite in old age.
Reflecting on the unreliable nature of memory, Barnes highlights how the repetition of memories can lead one to believe in their accuracy, even as they diverge from the original events. He introduces the concept of involuntary autobiographical memories (IAMs), illustrated by a case from the journal Neurology Clinical Practice, which describes a man's memories being triggered by apple pie.
McEwan and Barnes reminisce about their early days, meeting in the Pillars of Hercules pub in London during the mid-1970s, and how their careers were shaped by literary figures such as John Carey and Malcolm Bradbury. The conversation touches on the profound influence these mentors had on their writing and the enduring impact of being included in Granta's Best Young British Novelists list in 1993.
Barnes' first novel, 'Metroland,' published in 1980, is mentioned as a milestone in his career, a reminder of the passage of time, and an anchor to his long-standing residence. McEwan comments on the ephemeral nature of time, noting how their 50-year friendship and literary journey now fit into just a few feet of bookshelf space.
The authors discuss the structure of 'Departures,' which is divided into five parts and reflects on themes of death and time. McEwan praises Barnes' ability to weave these themes into a compelling narrative that resonates with the reader's own experiences of love, loss, and aging.
Throughout the discussion, Barnes and McEwan share insights into their writing processes and the philosophical underpinnings of their works. They engage in a thought-provoking dialogue about the role of memory in shaping identity, the inevitability of aging, and the existential reflections that arise from contemplating one's own mortality.
Key Insights
- Involuntary autobiographical memories (IAMs) can be triggered by sensory experiences, such as the case documented in Neurology Clinical Practice where a man's memories were evoked by the smell of apple pie.
- The Granta's Best Young British Novelists list in 1993 significantly impacted the careers of Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan, providing them with increased visibility and recognition in the literary world.
- Julian Barnes' novel 'Departures' is structured into five parts and delves into themes of memory, mortality, and the passage of time, following the story of Stephen and Jean who reconnect in their later years.
- Despite a friendship spanning 50 years, Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan had never shared a stage together before this public discussion, highlighting the rarity of their joint appearances.