Barney's Version was the very first Richler book I have ever read, and I plan on reading many more by him. From page one you couldn't help but love Barney, a curmudgeon if there ever was one. He is cynical, sometimes nasty, always funny, and unexpectedly tender. The book tells the story of his life from his early days in Paris, to his later days in Montreal. I couldn't wait to get home every day to read this book. Mr. Richler created a character that has so many facets that you feel you're reading the story of a real man. I highly recommend this book to Richler fans, and hope that , if you're never read Richler, you'll start with Barney's Version.