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ime0509's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
librarianpeter's review against another edition
3.0
This book to me was like a 3 hour long movie that could've been shortened to an hour long episode. A long winded flashback. Otherwise I liked the premise though I wish the author had expanded on the donor program and how it came about in this fictional world.
949_peewee's review against another edition
1.0
I listened to this book (Audible) and kept waiting for tension to build between characters or within characters. The anguish or anger is never felt; reactions never happened. I listened to the entire book and it felt like politely waiting for a friend to tell a story that goes on and on.
madladym's review against another edition
2.0
I'd heard great things about the author of this book, but I've never read anything by him. I was looking through the available books on my Library Overdrive account and this one caught my eye. Not knowing anything about it, I headed to Goodreads to check out some reviews. What I saw was promising as most of my friends here had rated it 4 or 5 stars. I didn't really read a synopsis, so I didn't know this was science fiction until I was into it. I read some science fiction, but it's not my favorite genre.
Having said all of that, I wasn't bowled over by the book. The story was marginally interesting and the writing was fine, but I had a hard time relating to the characters or the story. Perhaps I missed something, perhaps I'm not sophisticated enough to have enjoyed it. I read for pleasure and this just wasn't pleasurable for me. As I said, the story was marginally interesting but the movement of the story drug and the ending was unsatisfying.
It was ok, but I won't be rushing off to try something else by the author.
Having said all of that, I wasn't bowled over by the book. The story was marginally interesting and the writing was fine, but I had a hard time relating to the characters or the story. Perhaps I missed something, perhaps I'm not sophisticated enough to have enjoyed it. I read for pleasure and this just wasn't pleasurable for me. As I said, the story was marginally interesting but the movement of the story drug and the ending was unsatisfying.
It was ok, but I won't be rushing off to try something else by the author.
kristenkong's review against another edition
2.0
Ishiguro's quietly disturbing novel aims to make us question the ethics of science even though the author never directly raises the topic. Kathy’s observant nature sets the tone of the novel. Everything is precisely told in an even, matter-of-fact voice that never questions the strange terminology and conversations that alert the reader to something more grave. The truth is doled out in increments, over the course of the entire novel, requiring the reader to understand what is implied as much as what is told. I cannot say I liked it.
astron3000's review against another edition
5.0
Great sense of perspective from the narrator, contained quite possibly the most annoying book character I have ever encountered, Kathy B really needed to be a bit meaner. This was the first time the audiobook narration actually took away from the experience a bit from me, didn’t really enjoy having this feel like it was being read by a 70 year old British grandma.
cpaknit's review against another edition
4.0
Rating 3.5 stars. It is hard to review this book without giving away the plot line. A story of growing up and relationships in an alternative world. A worthwhile book to read for its thought provoking ideas.
stephaniedh's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't seen the movie so I can't tell you if it does the book justice. But definitely read the book first. Movies have to make things more visual and obvious. This book is definitely not in your face. The writer assumes you are intelligent enough to work things out on your own. But I am really impressed with his writing in this one on several levels. More impressed than I've been with a writer in quite a bit.