The new book from the Booker Prize-winning Julian Barnes, about looking back, facing the future, and coming to the end of life Departure(s) is a book about many things, including: A man called Stephen and a woman called Jean, who fall in love when they are young and again when they are old A Jack Russell called Jimmy, famous for his good behaviour The mischievous nature of memory The aging body, and how it begins to fail Taking our chances, facing our fate How we find happiness in this life How a departure can also be an arrival And when it is time to say goodbye.