In Talking It Over Gillian was married to Stuart. Then Stuart’s best and oldest friend Oliver fell in love with her and married her in his turn. Each spoke directly to the reader, giving their side of the story. In Love, Etc., using the same technique, Julian Barnes revisits Stuart, Oliver and Gillian, ten years after they last spoke to us. Oliver and Gillian are settled into a comfortable marriage, they have a child, Gillian is successful, Oliver is not. When Stuart returns from America, rich, divorced, a successful entrepreneur, the scene is set for the wheel to turn once more.

Darker and deeper than Talking It Over, Love, Etc. is a compelling exploration of a contemporary love triangle, wise, funny and brilliantly observed.