The latest novel by English writer J. Barnes “The Only Story” presents a profound artistic analysis of thoughts, sincere emotions and feelings of its main hero Paul Roberts being in love with a middle-aged married woman. Describing the maturity of their love within its phases, its burns and final bitter disappointment, the author also takes into consideration the social problems the Englishmen were uneasy about in the 1960s–1970s, and artistically exposes the ironic cut of the British moral precepts of London suburbs’ residents. The novel is thematically connected with the preceding J. Barnes’ book “The Sense of an Ending”, where the similar theme of love is just outlined but enclosed in the subtext, and his essay “Nothing to be Frightened of”, where the problems of fear of death, belief and disbelief are raised as well as the tragical and apocalyptic essence of the true love is skillfully depicted.