"A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters" by Julian Barnes

A history of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters is a well written but ultimately unsatisfying book. Julian Barnes tried a bit too hard to be clever. The title of the novel gives this away. The only things that makes the half chapter different from the others is that it is more of an essay and it is not numbered. This novel reads like a book that the author hopes to be used in literature classes. The story deals with Noah's ark and other watery themes. This is a book that would appeal to academics who are fond of cleverness. Those of us who expect substance should look elsewhere.