Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Science Fiction

Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy go to a special school that's on for kids like them. They live there and learn there and, in many ways, they are like normal teenagers. But some things don't seem to make much sense to those three and as they slowly start to peel away the layers, they learn more about what their future is going to be like. As they learn about their future, they also need to go through regular teenage problems, like betrayal, gossip, and sex.

Years later, Kathy meets up with Ruth and Tommy to re-live some of their good times together and some of their more passionate arguments. They still have a lot of questions about what happened while they were at school and what's still to happen to them in the future.

This book is a very subtle science fiction. The way Ishiguro presented the more science fiction elements of this book were slipped in to the book like they were no big deal and as if they are secondary elements to the story. Not only were these elements the odder parts of the story but they were also the twists in the story and I don't recall ever having read a book where the author is so nonchalant about the twists of his story.

One thing I never understood about the book is why the characters just accept their fate. Why don't some of them run away? Some of them would dream of running off to the USA and becoming actors. Why didn't they try? Also, why did Kathy put up with Ruth all that time? I would have given up with her and found other friends.

First Line: "My name is Kathy H."

Rating:
(4/5)

Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Fiction/Literature

Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy were students at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school secluded in the English countryside. They were taught to be healthy and artistic and told over and over about how special they were.

After many years Kathy is now a carer and Ruth and Tommy have re-entered her life. Their shared past forces them to re-assess their choices and understand their future.

This book is a science fiction but one would hate to totally classify it as such because of the wonderful way in which Ishiguro has written the story. His writing style is calm and conversational which seems to make the telling of this story even more horrific. He uses the same style as in The Remains of the Day.

I just have to interject that with a friend like Ruth, Kathy doesn't need any enemies. What a bitch!

I loved reading the book and the story tends to remain with you for some time. Ishiguro has dealt with some very controversial subjects without the story becoming a political platform. Very thought provoking!!

First Line: "My name is Kathy H."

Rating:
(4.5/5)

A Pale View of the Hills

A Pale View of the Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro
Fiction/ Literature

A Pale View of Hills tells the story of Etsuko, a Japanese woman now living in England.
Etsuko's youngest daughter is visiting her from London after the suicide of her oldest daughter. Etsuko tells the story about the time when she was living in Nagasaki just after WWII. She is pregnant with her daughter and living with a cold and domineering husband. She embarks on a strange friendship with a mysterious woman and her young daughter.

Ishiguro interweaves the present and the past, England and Japan in a delicate narrative. The reader does get caught up in the story but the ending is what you make of it. I love Ishiguro's style of writing but I find the conclusions are a bit wanting. Things are not 'neatly wrapped in a bow'. I think this book could be re-read to get 'more' out of the story.

First Line: "Niki, the name we finally gave my younger daughter, is not an abbreviation; it was a compromise I reached with her father."

Rating:
(3.5/5)

An Artist of the Floating World

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro
Fiction

I really do love Ishiguro's style of writing. Ishiguro's description of places and events is so well done.

Masuji Ono was a renown artist who has retired after WWII. He was a political artist who now believes he made 'mistakes' in good faith. Ishiguro writes about Ono's reflection and his inner turmoil. Ono seems to not have suffered any consequences of his actions although a colleague did. Of course there is no 'good' answer to any of this.

The cultural differences between Japan and Canada are so fascinating to read about. Marraige negotiations,even relationships between people are so different. Personally I thought Ichiro was an ill-mannered little boy. But this is again obviously is a culturl difference

Rating:

(4.0/5)