Magic is when you’re reading one thing, but something much deeper is going into your head.

Reading Kazuo Ishiguro’s NEVER LET ME GO, I was first caught up in the story details, the intimate memories of the main character, Kathy, and the vivid pictures Kathy paints of her childhood, her friends, her teachers - and the mystery that surrounds them all.

As the story moves along, I find I’m unable to put the book down, even though Kathy is still describing her life’s memories. There’s something about Ishiguro that makes her memories become something more. (I can’t give details because of a spoiler situation.)

I can say that Kathy is a true innocent. And when she tells us of her life, we can only see the more global picture later on, as the picture widens. The profound implications of Kathy’s life don’t hit us right away. And because we see the world through her innocence, the final, nightmarish impact is even more shocking.

This was my first Kazuo Ishiguro book, and now I intend to read them all!

  • CuriousMonster9@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I first read this book about 16 years ago, and reread it again five years ago. It’s haunted me since the most recent reread, and I now consider it one of my favorites. The realization kind of crept up on me, which is the first time that that’s happened. Planning on rereading it again next year.

  • elonfire@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I’ve discover Ishiguro’s this year with Klara and the Sun that I absolutely loved so ended up reading all of his books this year. I only have The Unconsoled left before the end of the year. It was a really great reading experience!

    Though because Ishiguro tackles similar themes in his work, some of them might have been more impactful if I spaced them out. However I will be reading them again for sure. The Buried Giant was the most different for me. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but because I love fantasy and history, I ended up really enjoying it.

    I think Klara and the Sun is still my favorite for now but his work definitely feels like I want to go back to it for years to come!

  • hazelparadise@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I completely resonate with your experience of reading “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro. Like you, I was initially engrossed in the rich details of Kathy’s memories and the mysterious atmosphere surrounding her life. As the narrative unfolded, I found myself captivated by Ishiguro’s ability to transform those memories into something much deeper. It’s as if, through Kathy’s innocence, a more profound and shocking reality is gradually revealed. I couldn’t put the book down either, and I’m eager to explore more of Ishiguro’s works after this compelling introduction.

  • Charles_Chuckles@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The Hunger Games, Book Theif, and this one are among my “In One Sitting” list.

    I just could NOT put this one down. It’s mysterious and ultimately heartbreaking. You keep thinking “Maybe it won’t be like this” but it IS like that. 😭

  • The_Muppets@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Anything Ishiguro writes is pretty damn good. Never Let Me Go is probably my favorite of his, and wow. I think it about it pretty often.

  • anima99@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    It started as a typical “we’re in an alternate reality and this is my fantasy world” story, then its darkness hits you out of nowhere.

  • felagund@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    This is a book, like 3-Body Problem, that’s really divisive. People either love it or hate it, not a lot of middle ground. Personally, I thought it was terrible dreck: the setup is so wildly implausible that it clashed with the measured realism of the prose. YMMV.

  • royrumulus@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    If it wasn’t for the rest of my book club absolutely hating this book, I’d think I was the only one after these comments. I’m curious what the draw is for this

  • lamzydivey@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    This is my favorite story of all time. I got to meet Ishiguro a while back and tell him just how hauntingly beautiful and beautifully haunting his writing is.

  • AcceptableObject@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    This has been on my TBR list for so long. But I started with Klara and the Sun and didn’t love that book so I’ve been putting off another Ishiguro book…

  • ldavidow@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    At the end of “Never Let Me Go,” I just felt profound sadness. That they knew and accepted their fate - that it was inevitable. They were brainwashed, really into accepting self-sacrifice. This novel and both “Klara and the Sun” and “The Remains of the Day” have self-sacrifice at their heart.