The Only Story is an in depth look at a May December romance where the man (boy) is almost thirty years younger than the woman. It has a memoir feel to it. The well written prose can only go so far as to keep our interest. The usual cold British feel doesn’t help our lack of emotional response to the characters. The collapse of the marriage affair from alcoholism is merely sad. This was my first Julian Barnes novel. I am grateful to have experienced his voice but I can’t give a 100% recommendation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Barnes