ThAct: Flipped Learning Activity - The Only Story
Julian Barnes' The Only Story (2018) is a poignant exploration of love, memory, and the lasting effects of youthful passion. The novel follows Paul, a nineteen-year-old college student, as he falls in love with Susan Macleod, a married woman nearly thirty years older. Set in 1960s England, their unconventional relationship defies societal and family expectations, leading to both excitement and heartbreak. Barnes structures the novel in three sections, gradually shifting from Paul’s personal perspective to a more detached and reflective tone, illustrating how his understanding of love evolves over time. The story captures both the exhilaration of first love and the disappointment that often follows. Through Paul’s reflections, The Only Story explores emotional dependence, the subjectivity of memory, and the complexity of long-term attachments. Barnes’ elegant yet precise prose raises the question of whether love is worth the pain it can bring. As Paul looks back on his past and ...
