From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, here is the universally acclaimed novel—winner of the Booker Prize and the basis for an award-winning film. This is Kazuo Ishiguro’s profoundly compelling portrait of Stevens, the perfect butler, and of his fading, insular world in post-World War II England. Stevens, at the end of three decades of service at Darlington Hall, spending a day on a … spending a day on a country drive, embarks as well on a journey through the past in an effort to reassure himself that he has served humanity by serving the “great gentleman,” Lord Darlington. But lurking in his memory are doubts about the true nature of Lord Darlington’s “greatness,” and much graver doubts about the nature of his own life.
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This book was beautifully written and it was easy to get involved with the characters is a beautiful story and it move me it was a real winner for me
This book was beautifully written, characters are real, and situation intriguing. I have thought about it many times since finishing.
Classic. Enjoyed the author’s other books as well.
Great character development allows you to crawl into the characters minds. Written in a thoughtful, maybe a touch slow, style. I like this substance revealed in the characters triumphs over style. The story of human emotions doesn’t necessarily need overt action.
Wonderful writing. Ambiguous. Captivating in its realistic portrayal of real life.
A life wasted. In this short beautifully written novel The Remains of the Day explores the mis-placed loyalty one man gives to another and the wretched loneliness he faces at the end from this misguided choice. Heart wrenching.
Excellent! Jeeves on a tragic level. At first I wondered why this narrator was so standoffish, stiff-upper lippish and emotionally constipated. When I arrived at the book’s conclusion I realized that this drama would never have been expressed better had he been more outgoing. Ishiguro used a great character trait to surround his narrator with and deliver the conflict in a subtle but telling way. It reminded me of those other introverted narrators I have read through the years – Conan Doyle’s Dr. Watson, Kazantzakis’ narrator in Zorba the Greek, to mention a couple.
A masterpiece. The unfolding of relationships, in an everyday examination, shows the beauty, intricacies of how emotion, reciprocated or not, affect our relationships with ourselves, and our worldview.
A brilliantly written book! Highly recommend it.
I read this book many, many years ago. I clearly remember how beautifully it is written; the sharp, precise words describing the two characters. I instantly became a fan and have read all of Ishiguru’s books. The story stays with you for a long, long time. THIS IS DEFINITELY A “MUST READ” BOOK.
Nomy Margalit
A great character and situation story.
Haunting portrayal of people who, because of family, class, occupation and naivete, either never really come to know themselves or make choices they think are honorable and end up used and deceived for their gullibility. It takes place in England in the time leading up to and through WWII as the old privileged households begin to be unable to afford and keep up their huge mansions, grounds and domestic staff. Told through the eyes of a Head Butler who takes a drive through England in the 1950’s, it’s a story of his memories and, ultimately, tragic life.
This is a winner for a reason. I love how the protag negotiates his memory and Ishiguro is a master at the art of an unreliable narrator. The ending leaves me feeling resolved but still wanting, as great works should.
I enjoyed this story so much that I bought a signed first edition, which now sits on my shelf, daring me to break its spine. I live in the West Country, and I’ve often thought about tracing Stevens’ journey. Sadly, an overwhelming sense of duty means that I can seem to find the time for such an indulgence.
This book will reside in your memory banks forever after. The world is so well constructed it feels real and the characters are people you’ve met in person.
When you grab a book that has won a Nobel and a Booker prize you have glittering expectation of something extraordinary. This falls far short of that hope. The book is well written with an immaculate precision. The story is told so aridity though that it founders throughout. The book could be a primer on meticulous writing but the story itself has little in it to celebrate.
Any author who can make a stuffy 1930’s era British butler a fascinating character deserves to be read. This story is superbly written to explore the British aristocracy in the waning years of the Empire, between the two world wars. Absolutely stunning. I could not put it down.
Such a beautiful, powerful book about how we see our place in the world, our abilities to stand up and challenge those around us, and our daring to step beyond our prescribed roles. Ultimately, it spoke to me about that continual battle between pride and desire: do we risk our face to fight for what we want and know to be true?
If you are interested in England’s history as class distinctions are waning (think Downton Abbey), this book is a must read. The dichotomy between adherence to an inbred servant’s duty and a personal heart choice is fascinating. This is one of my all time favorite books.
Although the book debuted in 1988, I’d never taken the time to read it before. Since The Remains of the Day won the Booker Prize in England, I knew it had many fans in that country. The truth is, the author’s points were so subtle, it was hard for this very-American girl to stay engaged. If you’re looking for a book that does an excellent job of staying true to the protagonist’s character, this one is for you. But if you’re looking for something with strong themes and riveting dialogue, you’ll want to pass. The book’s slow pace may just put you to sleep after a few chapters.