The Only Story
In this video, we are introduced to the characters and provided with a detailed summary of The Only Story by Julian Barnes. This poignant memory novel is narrated by the protagonist, Paul Roberts, who reflects on his life at the age of 70. The main events of the story unfold in flashback, as Paul recounts the defining relationship of his life—his love affair with Susan Macleod. For Paul, this is the “only story” that truly matters, the one that has shaped his existence and remains the sole narrative worth telling.
Set in 1960s England, the story begins when 19-year-old Paul, a university student, meets Susan, a 48-year-old married woman with two daughters, at a local tennis club. Despite their significant age difference, the two embark on a passionate and unconventional love affair. Their relationship, initially filled with excitement and defiance, gradually becomes strained as societal pressures, personal insecurities, and the weight of their choices take their toll. Susan's struggles with alcoholism and mental health further complicate their bond, while Paul grapples with his own idealism and the harsh realities of life. As Paul narrates the story decades later, he reflects on the nature of love and memory. The novel is divided into three parts, each reflecting a different stage of Paul and Susan's relationship—youthful passion, gradual disillusionment, and eventual separation. Through Paul's retrospective lens, Barnes examines how we construct and reconstruct our memories, often blurring the lines between truth and perception.
Video 2
In this video, the narrative structure of ‘The Only Story’ is explored. The novel adheres to the classic definition of a novel as articulated by Dr. Samuel Johnson:
“A small tale, generally of love.”
This definition perfectly encapsulates the essence of Julian Barnes’ work, which centers on the intimate and transformative love story between Paul Roberts and Susan Macleod. The narrative is structured with a deliberate and intricate pattern, employing the literary trope of the “warp and weft,” where the threads of memory, emotion, and reflection are intricately woven together to create a rich and layered tapestry.
One of the most striking features of the novel is its use of retrospection. Paul, now in his seventies, revisits his past, recounting the defining relationship of his life. This act of looking back is not merely a recounting of events but a deeply introspective process, as Paul grapples with the passage of time, the fallibility of memory, and the emotional weight of his experiences. The narrative is imbued with a sense of nostalgia and regret, as Paul attempts to make sense of how his youthful idealism collided with the complexities of real life.
Paul’s role as an unreliable narrator is another key aspect of the novel. Throughout the story, he frequently contradicts himself, casting doubt on the accuracy of his recollections. At times, he retracts or revises his earlier statements, suggesting that memory is not a fixed entity but a fluid and subjective construct. This unreliability adds depth to the narrative, as it forces readers to question the nature of truth and the ways in which we reconstruct our pasts.
The novel also employs a fascinating shift in narrative perspective. It begins in the first person, with Paul directly addressing the reader and recounting his story with a sense of immediacy and intimacy. As the narrative progresses, it transitions to the second person, creating a sense of detachment and self-reflection, as if Paul is observing his younger self from a distance. Finally, the story shifts to the third person, further emphasizing Paul’s emotional and psychological distance from his past. This evolution in narrative voice mirrors Paul’s own journey from passionate involvement to detached retrospection. Interwoven throughout the novel are authorial comments that reflect Julian Barnes’ philosophical musings on love, memory, and the human condition. These moments of introspection elevate the story beyond a simple love tale, transforming it into a meditation on the nature of existence.
Video 3
This video discusses the theme of love, which is at the heart of ‘The Only Story’. At the outset, Paul, aged 19, harbors a naive and immature understanding of love, viewing it primarily through the lens of sexual gratification. He is oblivious to the deeper responsibilities and complexities that love entails. In the novel, love is intricately tied to passion and suffering—a connection rooted in the Latin etymology of the word "passion" (patior), which means "to suffer." While this meaning has faded in modern usage, the novel delves into how love evolves into passion and, ultimately, becomes a source of profound suffering, not only for Paul and Susan but also for those around them, including their families. This brings the focus on the question raised in the beginning of the novel:
“Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; Or love the less and suffer less?”
A Lacanian interpretation further enriches the narrative. According to this perspective, humans are driven by repressed desires, seeking to fulfill them through love objects—whether they are people, abstract concepts, or even non-human entities. These love objects are pursued in an attempt to fill an inherent void or "lack" within ourselves. This idea is particularly evident in Susan’s life. In her marriage to Gordon, she experiences neither love nor sexual fulfillment. Instead, she finds both in Paul, who becomes her love object, offering her the emotional and physical connection she craves. However, this fulfillment comes at a cost, as their relationship is fraught with societal judgment, personal turmoil, and eventual heartbreak.
Video 4
This video explores memory novel in four key aspects:
- Trauma is memory,
- The imperfection of memory,
- Memory priority,
- The link between memory and morality.
Video 5
Joan is the sister of Gerald, Susan’s first husband, who passed away from leukemia. She is confident and strong-willed, naturally taking charge in her relationships, especially with Susan. Her authority comes through in her humor and the way she interacts with others. Despite her tough and witty personality, Joan is also practical, particularly about money, as seen in her interest in fuel costs. She is independent and never married, spending much of her life caring for her family. While she enjoys small pleasures like gin and cigarettes, she is careful with her spending and prefers to stick to her routines. Her reluctance to change, such as avoiding walking despite its benefits, shows her desire for comfort and control. Joan is a unique mix of confidence, humor, and practicality, making her a memorable character.
Video 6
This video discusses the two perspective on life presented in the philosophical brooding of Julian Barnes in the novel ‘The Only Story’.
1. The first view sees life as a series of choices, where individuals act as captains of their own destiny, like steering a paddle steamer down a river. Every decision eliminates other possible actions and may lead to regrets, but it also means taking responsibility, as each choice reflects personal free will.
2. The second view sees life as entirely predetermined, where individuals have no real control, like a bump on a log drifting down a river. In this perspective, life is shaped by past events and circumstances, leaving no room for free will or personal agency.
Video 7
This video explores the theme of responsibility in ‘The Only Story’, beginning with a quote that suggests the narrator must be careful in telling his story. This highlights the novel’s central concern: responsibility in both narration and life. The speaker presents two perspectives —one sees responsibility as a personal choice, while the other views it as shaped by larger, unavoidable forces. A chain metaphor is used to illustrate this idea. Each person or event is like a link in a chain, and when one link breaks, the whole structure can collapse. This raises the question of whether a broken link is inherently weak or simply overwhelmed by external pressures. Paul, the narrator, struggles with this idea as he reflects on his own life. He questions whether his mistakes are his fault or the result of his circumstances and others’ actions. Ultimately, responsibility involves understanding both personal choices and external influences, urging us to confront our own part in the harm done.
Video 8
This video explores how ‘The Only Story’ critiques marriage, portraying it as a flawed institution rather than a natural or inevitable part of life. It highlights a quote suggesting that true believers in love are naturally against marriage, implying that love and marriage are often in conflict. Rather than being life’s ultimate goal, marriage is shown as something that can diminish love and lead to unhappiness. The metaphor of A jewelry box is used to illustrate this idea. Comparison of marriage to a jewelry box that turns precious metals into base metal or a boat that is no longer seaworthy can be seen. These images suggest that over time, marriage loses its value and becomes more about routine and duty than love. The speaker also notes that many middle-class people suffer silently in unhappy marriages, as seen in the novel’s depiction of domestic violence and emotional struggles. While older novels, like those by Thomas Hardy, questioned marriage, modern alternatives such as live-in relationships and divorce offer more freedom. The novel does not provide a clear moral judgment but instead encourages readers to reflect on whether marriage truly leads to happiness or simply imposes societal expectations.
Key Takeaways
1. The Unreliability of Memory
Memory plays a crucial role in 'The Only Story'. The novel presents memory as fluid, subjective, and often deceptive. Paul frequently questions the accuracy of his recollections, acknowledging that memory is reconstructed rather than recorded. After learning this novel, I have learnt not to be too depended on memory.
Example: Throughout the novel, Paul revisits certain moments of his relationship with Susan, but each time, the details shift. He admits that he may be altering or forgetting aspects of the past, emphasizing how personal narratives are often shaped by selective memory rather than objective truth.
Significance: The theme of unreliable memory is significant because it highlights the novel’s introspective nature. Paul’s love story is not just about what happened but about how he chooses to remember it. This aligns with the novel’s broader meditation on love, loss, and self-deception, forcing readers to question how much of their own past is built on subjective reinterpretation rather than factual recall.
2. The Responsibility that Comes with Love
Barnes presents love not just as an emotional experience but as a responsibility. Paul initially views love as a grand, romantic adventure, but as Susan’s struggles with alcoholism worsen, he is confronted with the burden of care and responsibility.
Example: Paul initially enters the relationship with Susan believing in a kind of rebellious love, one that defies societal expectations. However, as Susan’s dependence on alcohol deepens, he is faced with the moral dilemma of whether to stay and care for her or leave when the relationship becomes too painful.
Significance: This idea is crucial for understanding the novel’s portrayal of love as something that extends beyond passion and excitement. The novel suggests that true love involves caretaking, sacrifice, and, at times, making difficult moral choices. Paul’s struggle with his responsibility toward Susan forces readers to consider whether love is about fulfilling one’s own desires or about commitment to another person’s well-being.
3. The Idea of Blame
The novel explores how people assign blame in relationships. Paul initially places much of the blame for his failed relationship on external circumstances, Susan’s addiction, or societal pressures. However, as he matures, he grapples with his own role in the relationship’s trajectory. This novel teaches us not to be too quick in putting blame to others.
Example: In his younger years, Paul sees himself as a victim of circumstance, blaming Susan’s drinking and her past experiences for the difficulties they face. Over time, however, he starts to acknowledge that he too played a part in their story—whether through his decisions, inactions, or even the way he remembers events.
Significance: This theme is essential to the novel’s exploration of self-awareness and accountability. It forces the reader to reflect on how individuals navigate responsibility in relationships—whether they take ownership of their actions or shift blame onto others. Paul’s evolving understanding of blame adds depth to the novel’s meditation on love, loss, and the nature of personal narratives.
Character Analysis
1. Joan
Role in the Narrative: Joan is Susan’s friend and sister of her ex-husband. She is one of the few people who offer Paul a more pragmatic perspective on relationships. She serves as a contrast to Paul’s youthful romanticism, providing insight into Susan’s struggles and the challenges of love.
Key Traits and Motivations: Joan is perceptive, direct, and somewhat cynical. She understands the complexities of Susan’s life, particularly her issues with alcoholism, and subtly warns Paul about the difficulties he will face. Her motivations seem to stem from experience and realism, as she has seen the consequences of Susan’s past choices.
Narrative Perspective: Since the novel is told from Paul’s point of view, Joan’s wisdom is filtered through his lens. Initially, he dismisses her as overly pragmatic or even pessimistic, but as he matures, he begins to recognize the truth in her words.
Contribution to Themes: Joan highlights the theme of responsibility in love by serving as a voice of reason, showing that love is not just about passion but also about practical and emotional consequences. She also reinforces the theme of blame, as she subtly suggests that Paul’s idealism blinds him to the reality of Susan’s situation.
2. Gordon
Role in the Narrative: Gordon is Susan’s abusive husband, representing the oppressive constraints of Susan’s past life. He embodies control, emotional detachment, and the societal expectations that Susan tries to escape through her relationship with Paul.
Key Traits and Motivations: Gordon is domineering, emotionally distant, and indifferent to Susan’s suffering. His motivations seem to stem from maintaining control rather than genuine care for his wife. He neither understands nor tries to support Susan, allowing her problems to worsen under his neglect.
Narrative Perspective: Since Paul detests Gordon, the reader sees him as a cold and almost villainous figure. However, because we only get Paul’s viewpoint, we never fully understand Gordon’s inner thoughts, which leaves some ambiguity about whether he is purely cruel or just emotionally incapable of dealing with Susan’s struggles.
Contribution to Themes: Gordon reinforces the theme of blame, as Paul views him as a primary cause of Susan’s decline. He also contributes to the theme of the unreliability of memory, since Paul’s portrayal of him may be biased, showing how personal perspectives shape our understanding of events.
Words -
Images - 1
Videos - 8
References -
Barad, Dilip. (2025). Flipped Learning Activity Worksheet on The Only Story. 10.13140/RG.2.2.24961.16485.
Barnes, Julian. The Only Story. Jonathan Cape, 2018.
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