Well surely this is a sign that one is getting older, more matured.
Never I thought I’d ever read this type of book. I only discovered through audible special offers. I used to think this is the hype of book your high school teacher forces you to read. 😂
I usually enjoy plot based fiction (I am under the foolish and childish idea that good fiction should be about adventure and exciting/interesting events), rather than a study of an individual’s character.
However this book really caught me by surprise. I was perplexed that I could find myself relating to a butler who served the high aristocrats during WW2.
As someone in their mid 40’s, I also feel stuck in a dead end job, I too look back on missed opportunities and regrets, I too felt what it’s like to be a prisoner of expectation and I too know all to well know how it feels to pine after a lost love and happiness because normal human interactions become so alien to one’s self. I can confidently say this book really did speak to me.
Spoilers Some people will see the ending as depressing, however I’m off a different view. I like to believe the main character finds comfort in his self, I think he learns to have a more positive outlook on life.
Well as you can tell am no Kazuo Ishiguro. I unfortunately don’t possess his writing skills. I thank you for reading my incoherent ramblings. I’m so glad I have r/books, there are so few people in my personal life that I can talk books with. Please let me know your thoughts.
I finished watching it 30 years ago. It has stuck with me for a long time.
Makes me want to read this again! It’s been a while. Such a gem.
Check out some of his other books. An Artist of the Floating World and The Buried Giant are great as well
If you want to stay in that WW2 era of memory, but try a different continent, then you should try Ishiguro’s Artist or the Floating World. That book hits HARD in regards to self-evaluation.
Flawless books, by one of the greatest living writers.
A book that I recommend for similar masterful writing and a story of regret, is “On Chesil Beach” - Ian McEwan.
May be one of my all time favorite books. I love this story and this writer and always rec this novel.
Truly brilliant book. Ishiguro really embodies the Hemingway concept of the literary iceberg, and so much of this novel happens in what is left unsaid. With relatively sparse prose it manages to say so many things because there’s like an entire other layer of story going on in what Stevens refuses to say out loud, and throughout reading it I was like screaming at the page, just say it!
I always have to point out that contemporary reviews often saw the Japanese name and said “oh this book is about Japanese culture” when it’s so obviously lampooning British mannerisms lol.
I had this book on my list. Didn’t know it had a depressing ending. Gonna read after Christmas is over. Thanks for the review!
I LOVED this book. I sobbed at the end, having interpreted it the sad way, but I do like your take.
I would have given it a 3/5 for basically the whole book. It all came together in the last few pages and in those pages it went from a 3 to a 5. I read it two years ago and I still think of it often.
I had a similar feeling when I read The Albatross by Nina Wan recently.
I’m currently halfway through! As so far it’s amazing. It’s very conversational and comforting, like having a grandparent telling you about their life when you were a child.
I’ve watched the film several times and really enjoyed it. Very sad in parts insofar as lots of people live unfulfilled lives due to various reasons. Must get the book now after reading your comments.
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It’s haunting.
It’s an excellent movie as well. Maybe his best performance. Subtle and passionate at the same time.
I realize it isn’t directly pertinent to the topic, but this book will always remind me of the movie Waiting for Guffman.