The Versions of Us - by Laura Barnett (Paperback)

About the Book

In one moment, two lives will be changed forever . . . and forever . . . and forever.

Book Synopsis

A #1 UK bestseller, The Versions of Us is a dazzling novel about the ways the smallest decisions give shape to our lives, charting a single relationship through three possible futures.

What if you had said yes? Some moments can change your life forever. Have you ever wondered, what if . . .?

A man is walking down a country lane. A woman, cycling toward him, swerves to avoid a dog. On that moment, their future hinges. There are three possible outcomes, three small decisions that could determine the rest of their life.

Eva and Jim are nineteen and students at Cambridge when their paths first cross in 1958. And then there is David, Eva's then-lover, an ambitious actor who loves Eva deeply. The Versions of Us follows the three different courses their lives could take following this first meeting. Lives filled with love, betrayal, ambition--but through it all is a deep connection that endures whatever fate might throw at them.

The Versions of Us explores the idea that there are moments when our lives might have turned out differently, the tiny factors or decisions that could determine our fate, and the precarious nature of the foundations upon which we build our lives. It is also a story about the nature of love and how it grows, changes, and evolves as we go through the vagaries of life.

Review Quotes

#1 UK Bestseller An Indie Next Pick, May 2016 A Publishers Marketplace Buzz Book 2016: Spring/ Summer One of the Observer's New Faces of Fiction Winner of the Richard and Judy Spring Book Club 2016 (UK)? "Barnett's enchanting debut imagines three possible lives, three possible love stories--each with its unique joys and sorrows--demonstrating that life has no perfect path."--PEOPLE, "The Best New Books" "Every love affair has an origin story, and the one that launches The Versions of Us is as picturesque as any: A pretty coed, late to class one blustery October afternoon, swerves to avoid the little terrier skittering into her path, and a chivalrous young man comes to the rescue. Her tire is flat, punctured by a rusty nail; their chemistry, electric and instantaneous, is not...Versions is smart enough to know that the fantasy of infinite possibility is thrilling--but not nearly as much as the reality of true human connection."--ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY "A subtle meditation on the ways people change each other. Although the premise is romantic, Barnett explores romance in a realistic way, including obsession, insecurity, and sacrifice. Jim and Eva bring out the best and worst in each other, and their relationship(s) is a testament to the dark and light sides of romantic love...The choices we make under different circumstances are the real heart of the novel, as well as a sense that all paths are worth traveling."--CHICAGO REVIEW OF BOOKS "British journalist Barnett's debut novel imagines the delicious prospect of romantic do-overs, cleverly negotiating the tricky and often dizzying terrain of three versions of first love...Barnett's evocative presentation is a masterly romantic study of love's choices and consequences, leaving wide open just what constitutes a perfect ending."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred and boxed review "Barnett masterfully pulls the reader through these alternating tales. Each option is compelling and believable. Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned here: Regardless of the paths we choose, the people who are meant to be in our lives will find their way there."--BOOKPAGE "An intriguing exploration of the many roads not taken."--BOOKLIST "Fans of the novel One Day and the movie Sliding Doors will want to pick up this debut."--KIRKUS REVIEWS "A rich, complex, and deeply satisfying novel... One of the most engrossing novels either of us has read in years."--Richard Madeley, THE RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB "A triumphant debut... a thoughtful, measured book about the interplay of chance and destiny in our lives."--Elena Seymenliyska, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH "Its very scope is a joy, the technical achievement seamlessly done, and the ending - all the endings - suitably affecting."--Jenny Colgan, THE GUARDIAN "Well written, stunningly crafted and constantly surprising... An utterly convincing love story about two people destined to be together somehow, no matter what."--Kate Saunders, THE TIMES "Barnett renders an irresistible concept in sweet, cool prose."--Hephzibah Anderson, THE OBSERVER "Unique, complex and playful... Barnett suspends our disbelief like a conjuror."--Elizabeth Fremantle, SUNDAY EXPRESS "An affecting and thought-provoking work, The Versions Of Us will keep you gripped until the tear-jerking conclusion."--Mernie Gilmore, DAILY EXPRESS "A clever, romantic debut.. Barnett tells three outcomes of the same affair, a simple, effective metaphor for the paths love itself can take you on."--GRAZIA "Such an exciting and clever novel. It marks the emergence of a major talent in literary fiction."--Viv Groskop, RED "A deeply moving and emotional story that has the ability to make you evaluate your own life."--STYLIST 'A captivating whirlwind of a book... Barnett weaves the myriad strains of her characters' lives into a cohesive and compelling whole.' (Sarah Gilmartin, IRISH TIMES) "She is a stylish writer; so much so, it's hard to believe that this is her first novel. Spanning the entire second half of the 20th century and much of the 21st, this book is evocative and atmospheric."--Anne Cunningham, IRISH INDEPENDENT "Where to begin? With the fluid and effortless prose? The poise and control of the author? The tenderness - but never sentimentality - which permeates the characterization? The cleverness of the plot device? The Versions of Us is both brilliant and astonishingly good."--ELIZABETH BUCHAN "Truly enthralling... I simply adored this wonderful novel."--JESSIE BURTON, author of The Miniaturist "I absolutely loved [The Versions of Us]. It's so elegantly and beautifully written... I was equally enthralled by each of the three versions... A really wonderful book."--ESTHER FREUD "Three roads diverged in a wood...and you have no idea which one the characters are going to take. It's "Sliding Doors" meets "One Day" and a lot of 'what ifs.'" --theSkimm

About the Author

LAURA BARNETT is a writer, journalist, and theater critic. She has been on the staff at the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, and is now a freelance arts journalist and features writer working for the Guardian, the Observer, and Time Out London, as well as several other national newspapers and magazines.