Never Let Me Go
Kazuo Ishiguro
2005
304 pages
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FTC: Hold on to your knickers…it’s a library book.
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This was recently listed on Time’s Best of the Decade list. It’s also on their list of All-Time 100 Novels (English language, 1923 to present). And for once, I can totally see why. But can I tell you why? Of course not, that would just ruin the story.
What I can tell you is this. The novel is narrated by Kathy, who grew up at Hailsham, an English estate that acted as a boarding school for young men and women. The children were sheltered, protected from both the outside world and their future. Kathy is now in her 30s, and she recounts her childhood at Hailsham and her friendships with Ruth and Tommy. As young adults, Kathy, Ruth and Tommy take separate paths. When they meet again, Kathy takes up their stories and brings the book to its surprising conclusion.
So I went into this one knowing there was something hinky going on, but not sure exactly what. And while I figured it out pretty quick, the ending still came as a shock. But for entirely different reasons than one would expect. The end is more of an emotional shocker than a “wow I didn’t see that coming” type of end.
This book actually reminds me quite a bit of Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake, although the stories are quite different. But they both have that “set in a not so distant and entirely plausible future” thing going for them, and they both made me think about ethics and the fate of humanity.
I could go on, but it wouldn’t be fair to those of you who haven’t read this one. So go read it, and then we can chat.
Maybe because I’ve read so much dystopia, I knew what was going on after about 5 pages into this book, and I didn’t realize it was meant to be a surprise so I gabbled away about it in my review. I didn’t think it was a spoiler! Only later did I realize other people took awhile to figure it out and that was part of the fun of the book…sigh. Ah well.
Anyway, I was only meh about the book at first, though I loved the last 50 pages or so, but over time it has grown so much to me and I really enjoy it. I already want to reread it.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Harry Potter #1, by JK Rowling =-.
Hmm, I read a couple Ishiguros back in high school, but I feel I need to read him again now that I have a more mature, literary mind. I haven’t read this one, so I think it’ll be the Ishiguro on my TBR list.
.-= Kari´s last blog ..Review: 1967 reimagined =-.
I always seem to be in the minority on this one, but nothing about it shocked me at all. Except for how bland the writing was. Others rave about its emotional resonance and all that stuff and this one just left me cold. Like Amanda, I was only meh about this one at first… and I still am!
.-= Steph´s last blog ..“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson =-.
When I read Oryx and Crake, it reminded me of this one, too.
.-= Jeane´s last blog ..New Dogeared Reading Challenge =-.
This was a book that I read as part of an online book club and in the beginning I found it difficult to put into words how I really felt about it. I have to say, I liked the book, but there’s still so much to it that I think it deserves a second read. It deals with so many issues and relationships. I think I’m going to have to pick it up again. Thanks for the review!
.-= The1stdaughter´s last blog ..The Turkeybird – Trucks, Planes and Trains Oh My! =-.
What an intriguing review! I’ve added it to my list
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Copyright Symbol =-.
I really liked this one, and it was only recently on seeing your review and Ana’s that I realize I don’t remember the end at all…
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The Bone People =-.
I was seriously depressed for a week after I finished this book :\ Also, I have got to read Oryx and Crake!
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve =-.
This is one of those frustrating books that you want to recommend to people, but then they want to know what it is about…and you can’t tell them!
While I found it an unsettling book, I agree that it’s definitely worth reading and, yes, I do try to convince people to read it without telling them what it’s about!
You do an excellent job at just sharing only a bit. The less one knows going in, the better, imo. This is my fave Ishiguro of the 3 I’ve read.
.-= Care´s last blog ..Signing Up for Challenges =-.
I’ve had this on my to-read list forever – I really need to find time for it. Great review.
.-= Carrie K.´s last blog ..Book Review: The Quiet American by Graham Greene =-.
I wasn’t hugely into this one, but I liked Ishiguro’s writing. He has a gentle, quiet style, which I enjoyed… although I like that Steph called his writing ‘bland’ in her comment.
.-= charley´s last blog ..The Good Thief =-.
Hated this book. As I said in the last sentence of my review: Why would anyone want to read a depressing book about oppressed submissive characters interacting in a one-idea plot?
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of “The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake =-.
Yep, this one’s on my TBR list for sure. As always, thanks for the review. You read awesome books
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale =-.
I LOVED this book. So much. So I’m glad you did, too! And I agree with Nymeth, I have GOT to read Oryx & Crake. Thanks for reminding me!
.-= Heather @ Book Addiction´s last blog ..Spellbinder by Helen Stringer =-.
I love reviews like this, so vague and yet so intriguing. This is on my “please-buy-this-for-me-since-I’m-on-a-book-acquiring-ban” list.
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Adaptations Lists and Giveaway =-.
I’ll definitely add this book on to my to-be-read list this year!!
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Cover Attraction =-.
Well now I am going to have to check this out!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..To Chase or Not to Chase =-.
I actually have this in my library book pile right now! I can’t wait to get to it, and I’m happy to hear it’s similar to Oryx and Crake in a way
.-= She´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesdays =-.
I read this book a few years ago and loved it. I keep wanting to go back and read it again. It’s definitely one of my favorites. Sounds like I’ll have to put Oryx and Crake on my TBR list too if it is similar to Never Let Me Go! I haven’t read any of his other books either, but want to.
.-= Julie´s last blog ..The Post-Birthday World =-.
I hope it was just bad timing, but I didn’t come anywhere close to making it through this book. Like Steph, I thought it was bland. But, I love Ishiguro so I’m sure to give it another try, someday.
.-= Bookfool, aka Nancy´s last blog ..The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova =-.
Well, with a narrator named Kathy, you know this has to be good! Just kidding. The book does sound great and it’s on my wish list.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Giveaway: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt =-.
I was just ‘meh’ about this book. I listened to the audio and thought the reader was the best thing about it.
.-= JoAnn´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesdays – Nine Parts of Desire =-.
I loved this book. A lot. Same with Oryx and Crake.
Well, I’m not really the smartest tool in the shed when it comes to figuring things out so I bet I would be totally flabbergasted. I love being surprised by endings.
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..A Review (Of Sorts) of Lamb by Christopher Moore =-.
Glad you liked it so much. I have plans to read this sometime this year, but I’m a little iffy about the subject matter. Your review gives me hope!
.-= veronica´s last blog ..It’s Tuesday, where are you? =-.
The book I WANTED to love, but didn’t. Compelling reading, but I didn’t really connect with it for some reason. I’m glad you liked it better!
.-= Florinda´s last blog ..Announcing my first hosted reading challenge: The Blogging Authors Reading Project =-.
This sounds really good. I like reading anything that hints at a ‘plausible future’. Great review Jill.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Book Review: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See =-.
I started reading the other Booker prize winning novel by this author..can’t remember the name now.. anyway, i abandoned it after some pages. I need to get back to it. and need to get this one as well.
Your awesome review has me adding this to my reading list!
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..Currrent Giveaways =-.
Wow! Opinions are all over the place. I hated Remains of the Day and have never felt the need to read more. I own this one though… maybe someday I’ll give it a try.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Chocolate by Max Brenner =-.
I read this thinking I would hate it and ended up loving it. But like many of the books I love, trying to talk spoiler-free about them is frikken’ hard.