Reviews

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

marijaaaaa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

stephreads's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

3.5

Coming of age/love triangle stories aren’t really my thing, but I thought I would give this a go because of the sci fi elements. Unfortunately, although those elements make up the bones of the world the characters live in, the ins and outs of that world are not at the forefront of the novel. I was most intrigued by

the ending, which does start to delve into the outside world a little more, but unfortunately not enough for me to find satisfying.

All of this is not a problem at all with how the book is written or the story itself, it’s more that it was just not really my cup of tea rather than anything else.

I did really like the way the narrator played with chronology while recounting earlier memories. 

togidemi's review against another edition

4.0

Y'know it's a good thing I got tipped off to it being sci-fi here on the Goodreads page. I knew going in that it had that element, and yet when it showed itself I had to look up from the page and think "Excuse me you're a WHAT?" Just came out of fucking nowhere. And then it remains in the background for the rest of the young adult coming-of-age narrative that is going on, only rearing its head to make me go "wah-HUH???" every now and again.

The coming-of-age narrative is pretty good, really. The writing style feels almost exactly like having Kathy just have a good long chat with you, and while the jumps in chronology are a little jarring at first, you get used to it. (And it makes setup and payoff much better in some cases.) I love how it captures how realistic close friendship is - Kathy and her friends definitely have flaws, and her monologue detailing her conflicted feelings about things and considering the what-ifs of choices such as holding her tongue or speaking up or maybe saying something different, felt so real to me.

What felt less real to me was that love corner (not triangle!) though, damn. I thought Kathy would be the common angle, but apparently not. Their chemistry is fantastic and believable as friends, but once romo feelings got into it, I was just... lost. I wanted it to be over, lmao.

The grief and nostalgia was palpable throughout the story, though. The exposition dump at the end was a bit graceless, but it at least cleared up the little crumbs of sci-fi that were just nonchalantly dropped throughout the book. A slower book than I usually like, but I had fun reading!

taylortcruz's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

tawallah's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

book_spiral's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

maryaornelas's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

padancer's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

trudy1963's review against another edition

4.0

I had no idea what this book was about before I read it and I think that added to the powerful message. I will never forget the confusion and disbelief I experienced while realizing the life and fate of the characters. Highly recommend not learning too much about the book before reading it.

jacyc's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5