Barney's Version
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Barney’s Version is a wild ride. It’s a fictional autobiography written by a very clearly unreliable narrator, Barney Panofsky. He recounts his life in vivid, erratic detail, which takes some getting used to at first. He humorously describes his three failed marriages and his relationship with his kids, but the kicker that he keeps coming back to is the mysterious death of his best friend Boogie. Barney was tried and acquitted of murdering Boogie, but there’s a shroud of suspicion around the whole thing, exacerbated by the fact that Barney is a passionate, unpredictable, oft intoxicated character who could totally kill his best friend. Not only that, but he could totally kill his best friend and not even realize that he killed his best friend because he’s always drunk.
So, as a reader, there’s this interesting whodunnit that is simmering in the background of Barney’s tales. It builds suspense and I certainly won’t ruin it for you because I found the payoff to be very satisfying. When I put the book back on the shelf, I felt like I had completed a journey. I felt like I had lived his life with him. Barney is a repulsive yet charming curmudgeon. He’s a hopeless romantic who keeps getting in the way of himself. He grows on you, and he makes for an innovative, refreshing voice in writing. This did not translate as well on-screen; I watched the film starring Paul Giamati as Barney and thought that the comedic brashness was less endearing and a little too on the nose. Stick to the book, per usual.
Overall, Barney’s Version receives 4 out of 5 flames. I would recommend it, but I also don’t think it’s for everyone. The stories themselves are very entertaining, but Barney is a hard pill to swallow, so proceed with caution. If you’re down for a fast-paced, quippy asshole, then it’s definitely worth your time. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and I appreciate that it’s so distinct from many of the books that I’ve read. Innovation that excites, baby!
