The Pain and Irony of Death in Julian Barnes's Memoirs Nothing to Be Frightened Of and Levels of Life

Julian Barnes is one of the best-known contemporary British authors, not only for his taste formal experimentation well-documented in novels and short stories he has published since 1980s, but also obsession with death. Despite fact that death – as a prime concern expressed through characters’ discussions, particularly when they are their old age been present most fictional works, topic becomes centre-stage two memoirs published, namely, Nothing to Be Frightened Of (2008) Levels Life (2013). In memoirs, connects personal experience works philosophers writers experiences those around him aim trying discern how himself and, by extension, own contemporaries Western society have dealt For Barnes, writing therapy confront existential fears well traumatic such sudden wife described at same time reflects on place occupies times.