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Friday, September 23, 2011

Review: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Publisher: Vintage Books
Genre: Fiction, dystopian (?)
Hardback 288 pages
Book Source: borrowed from the library
My Rating: 97/100
Recommended by Nikola of Nikola's Book Blog

As a child, Kathy—now thirty-one years old—lived at Hailsham, a private school in the scenic English countryside where the children were sheltered from the outside world, brought up to believe that they were special and that their well-being was crucial not only for themselves but for the society they would eventually enter. Kathy had long ago put this idyllic past behind her, but when two of her Hailsham friends come back into her life, she stops resisting the pull of memory.



And so, as her friendship with Ruth is rekindled, and as the feelings that long ago fueled her adolescent crush on Tommy begin to deepen into love, Kathy recalls their years at Hailsham. She describes happy scenes of boys and girls growing up together, unperturbed--even comforted--by their isolation. But she describes other scenes as well: of discord and misunderstanding that hint at a dark secret behind Hailsham's nurturing facade. With the dawning clarity of hindsight, the three friends are compelled to face the truth about their childhood—and about their lives now.
(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:


"If you are to have decent lives you have to know who you are and what lies ahead of you, every one of you." (pg. 81)

"You poor creatures," she repeated, almost in a whisper. (pg. 272)

This is a tough review to write because I don't want to give away the main "issue/secret".  So please bear with this cryptic review. 

This is a story told in mostly remembered memories of three friends who grew up in an English boarding school.  Kathy the narrator relates past events, saying things like, "Looking back now I was probably feeling..."  Hindsight is 20/20 and I believe that is what she is doing.  Situations are always clearer when looking back on them.

There are two words mentioned early on that deal with the secret at the heart of the story.  When I first read them, I thought, "What? What the heck does that mean?  This can't possibly end well."  And then throughout the story, I, just like Ruth, Kathy, and Tommy, know this thing is lurking in the background.  Something is off.  But the reader and the friends forget about it, and go on with the story.  Unfortunately, the story ends up showing that their fears about this secret manifest in the way they behave.  Tommy lashes out because a little part of him knows.

Towards the end of the story when the secret is out in the open, as horrified as I wanted to be, I wasn't.  The secret is a matter of fact, nothing can change it, life goes on.  This is pretty much how Ruth, Kathy, and Tommy deal with it.  What choice do they have?  I think that's what makes this book so haunting.  That this secret is accepted and life moves on.  May real life never  get this way.

Despite the point of the story, I enjoyed this book immensely.  The writing is beautiful and easily felt.  Another reason I enjoyed it so much was because this was so different than what I have read in the past.  This was a book with true, deep down, emotional human feelings.  This book struck a chord with me, and I now consider Ishiguro one of my favorite authors.

Thanks to Nikola's post for finally pushing me to get the book.  I know many  bloggers and read and recommended this book, but it was after his post, that I finally just requested it from the library, thinking "I have to read this now!"

Comments (24)

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I think I am one of the last ones to not have read this book. Your review does have me wanting to check it out!
1 reply · active 703 weeks ago
Well then I was next to last! You really must check it out. This book evoked feelings in me that I quite can't describe. It was a beautiful and lovely read.
Oh man, another blogger reminding me that I am seriously remiss in not reading this. :)
1 reply · active 703 weeks ago
Sorry Trisha, but yes, you HAVE to read this one. You will not be disappointed. The story and characters stay with you long after it's over.
I wish I had read it, instead I watched the movie and it was just great
1 reply · active 703 weeks ago
I didn't see the movie yet, but plan to. Maybe wait a while and then read the book. something may changed a bit from book to movie, you know?
You've caught my attention with your review. I'll have to keep an eye our for this one.
1 reply · active 702 weeks ago
Like you, I had a hard time writing my review because I didn't want to give too much away. It was a gorgeous book and it still sticks with me today. I actually listened to the audiobook read by British actress Emilia Fox and felt that it was amazing in that format. I look forward to more Ishiguro.
1 reply · active 702 weeks ago
Agree wholeheartedly! I think it sticks with me more now then it did when I read it. a lasting effect.
Oooh, how intriguing! Totally makes me want to find out what the secret is!
1 reply · active 702 weeks ago
muwhha-ha-ha that was part of my secret plan.
Almost a perfect 100! I'm very impressed and I believe that I have a copy of this one that I picked up at my library sale. If not, I'm buying it because your rating and love for this story says it all to me!! :D
1 reply · active 702 weeks ago
I'm telling you, there are very few books that stick with me, and this is one of them. I am reading his backlist as soon as I can.
So glad this one spoke to you Jen. I read it a few years ago and it was a pretty raw read. The only other book I've read by Ishiguro is The Remains of the Day and I loved it. but the ending is just as haunting as this book--though without the dystopian element. I recommend it if you haven't read it. His writing is just beautiful, isn't it.
That is the next one I want to read. Never saw the movie so I'm good there.
His writing is so touching or powerful?? Definitely beautiful, but so hard to describe.
I always attribute that to my lack of literary vocabulary or analysis skills.
Medical jargon I'm your girl....descriptive literary critique it's a struggle :)
You had me at boarding school - I'm very curious about the secret too.
1 reply · active 702 weeks ago
I consider this a must read Kathy. �Haunting and sticks with you.
What a great review Jen. I have been interested in this book for ages. It sounds good and your review has me wanting to read it even more.
1 reply · active 702 weeks ago
Thanks Darlene. �Now request this sucker form the library :)
My son says this is one of his favorite books and I've been reading reviews that bloggers feel the same. I have to read this!
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
YES! �Definitely do Harvee. �I finally did and was at myself for not reading it sooner. �Ishiguro has a way with words that his story sticks with you.
Awesome reivew Jenny, I'm totally intrigued. I think I have this one on my kindle but I'm not sure, I'm off to check lol
1 reply · active 701 weeks ago
Thanks Teddy! �

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