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Consider the treatment of history in Julian Barnes's A History of The World in 10 1/2 Chapters  

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Consider the treatment of history in Julian Barnes's A History of The World in 10 1/2 Chapters The title A History of The World in 10 1/2 Chapters immediately conveys an ironic approach to history. The half chapter indicates that Barnes is mocking the idea of being able to encapsulate the world's history in one book. (The title perhaps refers to Sir Walter Raleigh's The History of the World, which also begins with the story of the Flood.) Barnes's non-conformist narrative structure differs from the chronological narrative typical of history books. The novel has many different narrative voices. This unconventional use of form indicates an unconventional view of history. Barnes is very selective in his reference to historical events. For example, he includes the Flood, Middle Eastern history and man's landing on the moon, but omits other equally significant events. Barnes by no means attempts to be comprehensive. His treatment of...

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