meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Intelligence Squared

Julian Barnes in conversation with Ian McEwan (Part Two)

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, News Commentary, Arts

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 3 February 2026

⏱️ 46 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Julian Barnes and Ian McEwan are widely celebrated as two of the finest writers of their generation. Along with Salman Rushdie and Kazuo Ishiguro, they were included on Granta’s prescient Best Young British Novelists list in 1993 and have gone on to write some of the most memorable novels of the past three decades. In January 2026 they came together to discuss the book that Barnes says will be his last, Departure(s). It follows a man named Stephen and a woman called Jean who fall in love when they are young and again when they are old. Barnes and McEwan will draw on the themes of the book to discuss topics including philosophy, art, the slipperiness of memory, the passage of time, mortality and grief.This was a rare opportunity to hear two of the most celebrated voices in contemporary British literature discussing their craft and reflections on life. This event was presented in partnership with Waterstones. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Sophie Tom and the kids are standing by the luggage carousel, waiting for Sophie's bag.

0:03.9

Looks like she's going to be wearing Tom's clothes for a week, but she's not worried.

0:07.5

Their HSBC Premier bank account has comprehensive worldwide travel insurance that covers them, the kids and grandkids, if they had them.

0:14.7

Everything's Premier when your bank account is.

0:16.9

Search HSBC Premier, HSBC UK, opening up a world of opportunity.

0:22.0

Apply with £100,000 annual income or £100,000 savings or investments with HSBC UK or Premier Status Abroad,

0:27.0

cover provided by Aviva Insurance Limited.

0:28.7

Age restrictions and limitations apply.

0:30.1

Ready to launch your business?

0:31.5

Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.

0:34.6

Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business

0:38.5

with easy customizable themes that let you build your brand, marketing tools that get your products

0:43.3

out there. Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time, from startups to scaleups,

0:48.4

online, in person and on the go. Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you. Sign up for your $1 a month trial at

0:55.5

Shopify.com slash setup. Welcome to Intelligence Squared where great minds meet. I'm producer Mia Sorrenti.

1:04.7

For this episode, we're rejoining for part two of our recent live event with novelist Julian Barnes.

1:10.6

Barnes joined us recently at Union Chapel

1:12.8

to discuss departures, his new and final novel, and to reflect on a lifetime of writing as he

1:18.8

marked his 80th birthday. He was in conversation with fellow novelist Ian McEwen. If you haven't

1:25.3

heard part one yet, do just jump back an episode to get up to speed.

1:28.7

But now let's rejoin the conversation live at Union Chapel in London.

1:33.7

So what's the last book you reread? Can you remember?

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Intelligence Squared, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Intelligence Squared and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.