Never Let Me Go (2005)
by Kazuo Ishiguro
Never Let Me Go is a science fiction novel in the loosest sense of the word. There's not a hint of apocalyptic tones, nor does it take place in a future overrun by new technologies. It actually takes place in Britain from the late 1960s-1990s and it's really a world similar to what we live in today.
The only real difference revolves around the young students at Hailsham, a private school that keeps its students far away from the outside world. The students, including our narrator, Kathy, and her friends Ruth and Tommy, are told right from the start of their schooling that they are "special" and will hold an important place in society as they grow older. While they live a seemingly happy existence, as they head into their teen years and early twenties, they begin to realize their true purpose in life which leads to some students longing for a little something more.
It's quite difficult to describe this book without inherently spoiling it...even though the school's secret is nearly blatantly told to us about a third of the way through. The author never attempts to "hide" the secret, it just unfurls naturally in time as Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy grow older. And it's not even that spoiling it would ruin it, but I simply feel it would be better to experience this book on one's own knowing as little as possible.
And it's not like there are shocking revelations here -- in fact, the book is utterly mundane in the way that it's told. Ishiguro chooses to have Kathy narrate the story in such an easy-going manner that oftentimes, it feels like it reads like a children's book (or like this blog, perhaps). It's this inherent simplicity, however, that makes Kathy's story -- and the sad story of all Hailsham students -- all that much more poignant.
Side Note: This will soon be an upcoming movie starring Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley which looks quite good.
Side Note: This will soon be an upcoming movie starring Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley which looks quite good.
Reading this, I have ABSOLUTELY no clue what your opinion on the book is.
ReplyDeleteI thought this summed it up: "It's this inherent simplicity, however, that makes Kathy's story -- and the sad story of all Hailsham students -- all that much more poignant."
ReplyDeleteA sad book that, while simple, achieves the emotional affect it wanted to achieve.
And I thought this line was somewhat of a recommendation without saying "Read the Book" -- "I simply feel it would be better to experience this book on one's own knowing as little as possible."
Oh well. Here it is bluntly: It was good.