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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
As I type I've just finished this, and it feels like it may take some time to digest...
Ishiguro's distinctive writing style - there really is no-one like him - submerges the reader in the world of a world-class pianist returning to his home city to perform against the backdrop of a crisis in confidence about what constitutes an appropriate repertoire, and various failing relationships.
Throughout, the subconscious reveals the conscious, shining a not-always-flattering light on the human condition.
Ishiguro's distinctive writing style - there really is no-one like him - submerges the reader in the world
Spoiler
or rather, the anxiety dreamSpoiler
As in many dreams locations and characters morph from one setting to another with the protagonist - as presented - moving seamlessly between them, even seeing and hearing events he's not, prima facie, party too. In addition, significant characters are clearly alternate versions of himself.Throughout, the subconscious reveals the conscious, shining a not-always-flattering light on the human condition.
I tried so hard. Sorry Kazuo your prose is beautiful but this is incomprehensible :((
What did I just read?? I think I might put this as my second favorite Ishiguro after The Remains of the Day. It was so delightfully strange. I think unlike some of his other books which feel strange and unreal in all these weird ways, this one leaned into it so hard that the whole thing took on a dream-logic quality that was difficult but enticing to read. The moments where he takes a long trip somewhere but then realizes he's already back in the hotel, the moments where he's wandering about and a person just turns up out of nowhere and he realizes he's somehow ended up right next to a place he's been before... the moments where he knows details of scenes he can't witness... it all captured what dreams can really be like, in a way that impressed me. I don't think I've seen any other piece of writing mimmick the actual experience so well before.
But beyond that, I feel like this book was good at being funny in an absurdist sort of way, but also being a rather heartbreaking book about parents and children, about families who disappoint each other because of a lack of understanding. Ryder chasing that approval from his parents, and then passing on the legacy of a silent and hostile relationship between father and son to his own (maybe?) son, Boris. The strained marital relationships, Stephen's failure to get his parents' attention or approval, and Gustav as a sort of father-figure for Boris and even for Ryder in a way he could not be for Sophie. The book is just filled with all these people with desperately strong emotions for one another who cannot get to the right place at the right time and say the right thing.
I think the main thing stopping this from being five stars is that I did feel the length of the book a little. It was a... stressful read, I guess you could say? It felt like I was constantly feeling the pressure of running late or being in the wrong place or not understanding what to do or how to prepare for it. A real anxiety dream of a book, and that meant the length of it was a little oppressive. I could have done with maybe a hundred fewer pages.
But this was excellent, I'm glad I discovered this book on my quest to read more Ishiguro!
But beyond that, I feel like this book was good at being funny in an absurdist sort of way, but also being a rather heartbreaking book about parents and children, about families who disappoint each other because of a lack of understanding. Ryder chasing that approval from his parents, and then passing on the legacy of a silent and hostile relationship between father and son to his own (maybe?) son, Boris. The strained marital relationships, Stephen's failure to get his parents' attention or approval, and Gustav as a sort of father-figure for Boris and even for Ryder in a way he could not be for Sophie. The book is just filled with all these people with desperately strong emotions for one another who cannot get to the right place at the right time and say the right thing.
I think the main thing stopping this from being five stars is that I did feel the length of the book a little. It was a... stressful read, I guess you could say? It felt like I was constantly feeling the pressure of running late or being in the wrong place or not understanding what to do or how to prepare for it. A real anxiety dream of a book, and that meant the length of it was a little oppressive. I could have done with maybe a hundred fewer pages.
But this was excellent, I'm glad I discovered this book on my quest to read more Ishiguro!
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reading this is an exercise in meditation honestly. it's stressful until you decide to take a deep breath and accept that it's fine and that you need to accept the journey wherever it takes you. i love the way it flows, the dream structure, how it all feels very hazy, and once you're absorbed in it it's all a world that makes sense. big up boris btw
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kolmas Ishiguron kirja jonka olen lukenut, ja ensimmäinen joka todella, todella tempaisi mukaansa. Kirjan unenomainen, melkein painajaismainen tunnelma ja Ryderin ajautuminen suunnittelemattomasti absurdista tilanteesta toiseen oli pulssia nostattavaa luettavaa kaltaiselleni kontrollifriikille. Kirjan henkilöhahmot olivat toinen toistaan oudompia myös, mutta kiinnitin huomiota siihen, että kovin monella oli ongelmia vanhempi-lapsisuhteessa tai vähintäänkin parisuhteessa, tai sekä että. Vaikka kirjassa oli suorastaan murheellisia perhesuhteita, oli siinä myös niin absurdeja tilanteita, että useammin kuin kerran nauroin ääneen ja makeasti. Lopun luin ahmimalla, oli pakko saada selville miten sen konsertin kanssa kävi.
Hieno kirja.
Hieno kirja.
A mesmerising, psychedelic story that addicts you through the enraging sequence the plot takes. From what I’ve read, others see it as dreamlike, but whilst I can see that perspective, I view it as more of being lost in the chaos of life, lost in tall ambitions and irreverent dreams, that of course come crashing down with the main character finding solace in a simplicity of life by the end. An intriguing read on the whole.
Hated for most of it. Last bit absolutely exploded my brain. Genius man
I wanted to like this book, but it's hard to follow and quite boring.