Never Let Me Go

I recently picked a book by Kazuo Ishiguro called Never let me go. While generally reading the back cover I found that Remains of the day was also written by Ishiguro. I hadn’t read “Remains of the day” but had seen the movie. Anthony Hopkins delivers a brilliant performance in the movie portraying the butler. So anyway, based on the jacket of the book, it was also a finalist for the 2005 Booker prize, I thought it was a very readable book and bought it…

I will definitely recommend this book to all. You can read this blog further, don’t worry nothing here will spoil your reading...

The book is a story being told by a 31 year old girl named Kathy. She walks you through her life experiences, up from childhood, largely with her two best friends Ruth and Tommy. I found myself a little lost at the beginning not able to understand what was special about them and what are “donors” and “carers”. But things clearl up as you progress. Anyway, despite that Ishiguro’s style will keep you involved. The portrayal of Kathy’s life is really heart felt and you will be able to associate with some of the things. Things like fighting with best friends over things both big and small, not being able express feelings freely due to circumstances, quiet but desperate separation etc…

The third and final part of the book is a punch to the gut, gentle though. Everything unravels in the final part. I found myself choking up many times as the characters near their fate. The story and theme are fiction, as you will realize, but the human feelings and situations described and portrayed are just so genuine and true. It is in this part that you start seeing through each of the characters, understanding them and the love they have always shared, although not openly, for each other.

As one of the reviews says the book is a “…a tour de force of knotted tension and buried anguish…”. Just like “Remains of the day” while reading this book you will many times feel as to why the characters don’t just bring out everything in the open. Kathy even thinks back that during one situation maybe the best thing to have done was to just go give Tommy a big hug. But you will realize, that is not how things work in life and sometimes feelings have to be left suppressed…

A very simple and warm story, told in a very different and novel way, that will leave a lasting impression on you...