[GVR]≡ Read Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro 9780571224135 Books

Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro 9780571224135 Books

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Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro 9780571224135 Books

Kazuo Ishiguro continues to craft novels focusing on character and atmopshere with less focus on plot. "Never Let Me Go" (which has been adapted into a film)continues Ishiguro's approach with a well written novel that focuses much more on creating an atmospheric, credible novel by focusing on developing fully realized credible main characters and the small details in those characters' lives.

WARNING: SOME MINOR SPOILERS FOLLOW:

Narrated by Kathy H. a "carer" who has been comforting other "donor" children for 11 years, recounts her growing up at the exclusive and mysterious Hasilsham boarding school with her friends Tommy and Ruth. Constantly reminded how special they are these children also have virtually no contact with the outside world beyond their school. They hear the teachers whisper about how "special" they are and how they are "different" without any comprehension as to how they are being taken away from normal lives or that they are being brain washed to accept their role to help others fulfill their lives.

Author Ishiguro makes it very clear from the beginning what these children are donating and hints at the final surprise throughout the book. You'll probably be way ahead of the author's major reveals and, if you're looking for a mystery with a labyrinth plot, this isn't the book for you. Ishiguro's novels are as much about the prose style, characters and little details more than the plots themselves.

END OF SPOILERS:

Although extremely well written the slow pacing of this novel may make it difficult for some readers to make it through to the end without "cheating" and jumping ahead (I'll admit I was tempted but decided it would be wiser to be patient). As with all of Ishiguro's novels he creates memorable characters with depth but fails to create a complex involving plot.

If you have enjoyed other novels by Ishiguro such as "Remains of the Day", you'll enjoy "Never Let Me Go" as well since it doesn't deviate from his approach or concerns. "Never let Me Go" is a literary attempt to create a memorable novel that is character driven with elements of science fiction in it and while not completely successful, it does have its moments. It's good but could have been so much more if Ishiguro had created a more complex and involving plot to compliment his other literary skills as a writer.


Tags : Never Let Me Go [Kazuo Ishiguro] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Book by Ishiguro, Kazuo,Kazuo Ishiguro,Never Let Me Go,Vintage Books Random House,057122413X,Literature & Fiction - General,Modern fiction

Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro 9780571224135 Books Reviews

I would probably rate this 3.5 stars if that was an option.

I found myself pretty detached while reading this...not in my usually hurry to finish and see how the characters and story developed. Perhaps that was part of the author’s effort? I’m not sure.

Our narrator, Kathy, was detached as well. Detached from her own experiences and even somewhat detached from the losses she experiences.

Only Tommy, who would sometimes give into rages, seemed to FEEL the appropriate outrage at times. But then it would get tucked back inside and hidden.

Tommy’s art is what I found most interesting and distinctive. The fact that he quit trying for awhile because his art was ‘no good’ but then later, while his art was still different... it became so stylized and small...maybe mechanical, but precise. I think Tommy’s art and the precision of it shows that each of these people is precise. So many little parts make us into who we are...

In the end, I found this book sad. It’s another testament of man’s inhumanity towards man. If we can make ourselves believe someone is ‘less than’ we are, in any way, then we can justify our mistreatment. The fact that we do it ‘in the name of science’ doesn’t work for me. I guess I believe in the soul. I believe in the sanctity of people... of life.
This book was quite interesting. I had a love/hate relationship with it due to the fact that the secrets and pivotal information was divulged slowly throughout the book. That definitely made me want to keep reading but at the same time it took me a long time to start connecting the dots about why the things were the way there were for this narrator.

Everything about this narrator's world was odd and had a obvious disturbing vibe to it. What is even more terrifying is that I can see this happening in our future with the rapid advancements in technology. If that day comes, our values and morals will be put to the test when we try to define what is ethical and what is not.

Now,

*SPOILERS*

This story reminded me of the animal agriculture industry in a lot of ways. We refuse to know what's going on when it comes to how meat and dairy products reach our plates so we put up walls and gates to hide us from the terrible truth.

In this scenario, clones have been created to harvest anything and everything from their bodies in order to save "real humans" from dying from diseases. About maybe 60% through the book, I started to understand what was happening. These 'students' were being raised for slaughter. The narrator was lucky to actually have somewhat of a "normal" upbringing while others were in far worse conditions.

It scares me to think that this could happen. These students had feelings, emotions, intelligence, etc. yet were treated like animals being ready to be killed. They were taught at a very young age that they would be donators. Everything about it was normalized in a way they didn't see it as problem. They believed that's how it has always been and nothing is wrong with it. They even have the students be the care takers for the donors because no one wants to see the suffering and pain the donors have to go through. How messed up is that?

I also found the relationships hard to swallow. What they thought of as friendships and love, were not anywhere near it. However, that's all they've known. Any difficult or deep conversation was immediately shunned so surface conversation was the only acceptable way to communicate. I thought Kath and Ruth's friendship was toxic in a lot of ways. It was almost as if they didn't know how to treat a friend. The one great example that I saw was in the Cottages. Ruth had two identities the one that completely ignored Kath and Tommy and desired attention from the veterans and then the one that sat with Kath at night, spilling secrets and such. I think this is why Kath remained friends with her even though Ruth treated her so terribly. Her whole life she had to constantly filter herself but in those hours of sipping tea with no filter, it gave her some sort of relief. It allowed her to be a more truer form of herself.

Overall, I thought the book was incredibly mind provoking. I wish there was a happy ending but ultimately, we only receives answers rather than Kath, Tommy, and Ruth riding off into the sunset.
Kazuo Ishiguro continues to craft novels focusing on character and atmopshere with less focus on plot. "Never Let Me Go" (which has been adapted into a film)continues Ishiguro's approach with a well written novel that focuses much more on creating an atmospheric, credible novel by focusing on developing fully realized credible main characters and the small details in those characters' lives.

WARNING SOME MINOR SPOILERS FOLLOW

Narrated by Kathy H. a "carer" who has been comforting other "donor" children for 11 years, recounts her growing up at the exclusive and mysterious Hasilsham boarding school with her friends Tommy and Ruth. Constantly reminded how special they are these children also have virtually no contact with the outside world beyond their school. They hear the teachers whisper about how "special" they are and how they are "different" without any comprehension as to how they are being taken away from normal lives or that they are being brain washed to accept their role to help others fulfill their lives.

Author Ishiguro makes it very clear from the beginning what these children are donating and hints at the final surprise throughout the book. You'll probably be way ahead of the author's major reveals and, if you're looking for a mystery with a labyrinth plot, this isn't the book for you. Ishiguro's novels are as much about the prose style, characters and little details more than the plots themselves.

END OF SPOILERS

Although extremely well written the slow pacing of this novel may make it difficult for some readers to make it through to the end without "cheating" and jumping ahead (I'll admit I was tempted but decided it would be wiser to be patient). As with all of Ishiguro's novels he creates memorable characters with depth but fails to create a complex involving plot.

If you have enjoyed other novels by Ishiguro such as "Remains of the Day", you'll enjoy "Never Let Me Go" as well since it doesn't deviate from his approach or concerns. "Never let Me Go" is a literary attempt to create a memorable novel that is character driven with elements of science fiction in it and while not completely successful, it does have its moments. It's good but could have been so much more if Ishiguro had created a more complex and involving plot to compliment his other literary skills as a writer.