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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Not an easy read. I would even say somewhat obtuse but maybe it is just me. Not a compelling read.
Everything about this novel leads to it being perfect. Elegiacal writing, atmospheric scenes, tension-filled relationships, multiple but seamless story lines interwoven by a master of plotting in seamless fashion. Ishiguro creates a total immersion experience for the reader, one that is affecting and persistent over time. He produces the rare experience for the reader who actually feels like an invisible character existing in the book because of his ability to bring an imagined story to life.
This is an example of unforgettable fiction rarely equaled.
One of my favorite books I’ve read
I LOVED this book, and it stayed with me a loooooong time. I find it difficult to critique, but it aroused a huge discussion in my book group.
I love a period piece
Beautiful, moving story of apparently small lives in momentous times. At times heartbreaking, it follows the lives of the head housekeeper and butler at a large country house, people who haven’t allowed themselves to dream of something different, both disappointed by life but making the best of it. I have read this often. It’s a very special book written by a wonderful author. I would give it 10 stars if I could
Extremely well written
A master class in emotional restraint – and beautifully written.
What a wonderful and sad journey the author takes us on in this tale of unrequited love and pre-war history. Beautiful.
A master at work. one of the important books of the late 20th century
This is a very slow moving internal kind of book.
Fabulous book.
This is a slow character building story. It is sad, but interesting.
One of the best books I have read.
I loved this story. When I’m reading a book and it turns I to a movie in mind’s eye so that I am then literally watching a movie in head, success! That’s what happens for me with Mr. Isaguro,’s writing. Lyrical, evocative prose poetry.
One of the best books I ever read.
The hero in this story is a very comic figure.
The size of his self-awareness is the size of his emotional detachment – of himself and from the environment.
I found myself laughing quite a bit during reading but mostly liked the way its character built; Is very predictable and defined.
This is the first book I have read by Ishiguro and certainly not the last one.
Beautifully written!
Read this book over Christmas—just perfect for the season as it brings to mind English manor houses, parties, staff, and English scenery especially the rain which they have a lot of. Also it was a preclude to WW11 and as such it showed bipartisan views especially on Lord Darlington’s part. Did the butler Mr Steven’s agree, and what about the young head housekeeper’s view? Read it and find out. Now I can’t wait to view the video and see how close to the book it followed. I loved this book now, but when I was younger I thought it was boring. My taste has matured thankfully
GREAT WRITING