Never Let Me Go by Kazou Ishiguroread for the Dystopian Challenge
I'm not going to say much about this book, as I enjoyed it without any background. I knew very little about this before I read it, other than it was for the Dystopian Challenge - I found it on a list at wikipedia, and that it was at the top of the list of 1001 books to read before you die. The first book, it was driving me crazy, I wanted to read it so I could cross it off. I've had it since April to read and I don't know why I took so long to read it, because it only took a day once I picked it up.
I've never read a book by Ishiguro, but his writing was phenomenal. It felt like every word was perfect, and there were no extras. I was pulled into this story, and couldn't put it down. Written as a memoir, Kathy narrates the story reminiscing about her time at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school in England and her life after. Ishiguro gradually reveals the story amidst his moving prose. This was easily my favorite of the dystopian books so far.
Some quotes from the back of the book:
Suspenceful, moving, beautifully atmospheric, Never Let Me Go is another classic by the author of The Remains of the Day.
A Gothic tour de force ... A tight, deftly controlled story... (The New York Times)
The work of a writer at the top of his game, a graceful, chilling and moving yarn to set alongside Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. (National Post)
Not knowing anything about this one either, I really enjoyed it as well. Glad it was a good read for you!
ReplyDeletejoy - I think it was the complete unknown about the book that allowed it to unfold so nicely - I tried not to say much in my review
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this for the Dystopian as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was on the RIP Challenge book list from last year. Do you think it qualifies for that challenge or should I just pick another?
3m - I'd say it could be considered a little creepy. It's dystopian, so right there it's weird. And the way the story is told keeps you in a lot of suspense. It was on the list from last year too. I say 'yes!'
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask the same question as 3m after reading "Suspenseful" and "Gothic." I may include it in my RIP list. I liked that you didn't give much away. It's refreshing to read a book that you don't know anything about and have it be good and well-written.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was just okay, but felt that I would have liked it more had I not read it so soon after Blindness. Turns out I need lots of time between dystopian reads.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you enjoyed it. It's taking me a long time to read this book, too. Although I have read one of his others, A Pale View of Hills, and loved it.
ReplyDeletebooklogged - it feels like you've discovered something new, when you have no background about a book. Of course, some good books, even when you know what they are about, it's the writing that vaults them into 'great' book status.
ReplyDeletejohn - I haven't read Blindness. I liked how subtly dystopian Never Let Me Go was. I've been enjoying this genre and it is quite new to me
nyssaneala - I am looking forward to reading another of Ishiguro's book, probably Remains of the Day will be next. Go read it; it read pretty quickly I thought
It looks pretty interesting. I tend to like that kind of genre.
ReplyDeleteYeah! I just picked this up at a booksale and can't wait to read it. Glad you liked it!
ReplyDelete