Book Review | Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
By Mrs S • Jun 22nd, 2008 • Category: 4 stars, Reviews
Treat yourself to Never Let Me Go today
Rating
4 stars - a thought provoking read
Description
In one of the most acclaimed and strange novels of recent years, Kazuo Ishiguro imagines the lives of a group of students growing up in a darkly skewed version of contemporary England. Narrated by Kathy, now 31, “Never Let Me Go” hauntingly dramatises her attempts to come to terms with her childhood at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham School, and with the fate that has always awaited her and her closest friends in the wider world. A story of love, friendship and memory, “Never Let Me Go” is charged throughout with a sense of the fragility of life.
Why did you choose to read this book?
I added this book to my TBR after a recommendation from one of my friends - and then dusted it off on Friday to read in advance of our Book Group meeting next week.
The Book Review
Never Let Me Go is a really difficult book to review without giving away the reason behind the book. It is narrated by a women called Kathy who is 31 and has been a carer for 11 years - she is telling the story of her life, starting with the time spent at Hailsham School. Throughout the course of the novel we learn about her relationship with her friends Ruth and Tommy.
What is unique about this book is that it is not until the middle that you find out what makes these students so special, and not until almost the end until all the pieces come together - this isn’t a book with dramatic twists and turns - but the way Ishiguro writes you are just completely drawn in to Kathy’s tale, and you want to keep turning the pages to find out why Hailsham School is so revered.
I read this book in two sittings and really liked the writing style - I can’t believe that this book is so high profile yet I’ve managed to avoid any kind of spoilers - I think if you knew what the book was about before you read it you might find it pretty mundane.
I’m glad we picked this for our Book Group as its the kind of book you can only discuss with people who have already read it!
Have you reviewed this book?
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Mrs S is is a lover of books! These are my thoughts on the books I've read. Have a different view? Leave me a comment below :)
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Great review — especially since you didn’t spoil anything, which is hard to do with this novel. I enjoyed it, too…
It did have a real dreamy, surreal feel to it. Almost languid. I enjoyed the first reading because of the obscurity, but I don’t know if it would hold my interest a second time round.
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Hi Kristen - it is soo hard to write a review of this book without spoiling it!
Jeane - I agree - I don’t think I could read this book a second time round - hence the 4 stars instead of 5 - the obscurity is what makes it such a powerful read.
I have this one on my shelf and after reading his The Remains of the Day I bumped Never Let Me Go up on my list (i.e. made it a challenge book *snickers*). Thanks for the review–sounds very intriguing and different form the other book of his read I read.
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I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I just really couldn’t “get in to it! Might me one I have to return to one day and give another go.
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Hi Trish - I did have Remains of the Day at one time but now I can’t find it! I was tempted to give it a go after enjoying this one.
Bart - I actually think its a love it or hate it book and just might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you are going to give it another go try and do it when you have a whole afternoon to spare to read it right through.
I accidentally linked to Remains of the Day at mr Linky, I put Never let me go in second.
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