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lydiacox's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charlote_1347's review against another edition
5.0
I was told by numerous friends that I would cry upon completing this book. I didn't. This wasn't because it lacked anything. On the contrary, this has to be one of the best books I've read on the subject of clones and ethical practice. What it was, was that I knew the ending was coming. The author constructed a dystopia where happy endings for students simply do not exist. At best, they gain a measure of peace from the inevitability of it all, which was horrifying in itself. To use people in such a way because they aren't conceived of natural means...the very idea fills me with horror, especially in the rapidly developing world we're living in. But, the ending. I think a surprise twist would have cheapended the novel and compromised its message. The novel was very powerful from page to page, but the hopeless vision of Kathy in 'the lost corner' of England, imagining Tommy running towards her from the distance...that was a shattering way to finish things. A perfect way.
oceanofwords's review against another edition
4.0
something keeps tugging at my heart when i read this book. I imagine it like a cloudy day on weekends that never turns into rain. Great study of small bits of feelings that create a larger impact on the relationship.
stinkbug62's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
carolldasneves99's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mialuca45's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
chaz11's review against another edition
3.0
Strange and meandering - though interesting nonetheless.
Never Let Me Go kept me intrigued throughout the book. It's a story framed by Kathy H., who at 31 is reflecting on her life as she retires from being a 'carer' to become a 'donor'. You think you know what these words mean, much like you think you know the sort of place Hailsham is (on the surface, a typical British boarding school) but the more you read, the more you find that something very different is going on here.
I enjoyed Kathy's narration. It felt conversational, like listening to an old friend. Kathy would tell stories of her childhood and youth, often nesting stories within these to give a better context. By this, there was also a focus on the ordinary things (some might even say mundane). There's a larger and stranger world, but it's in the background of Kathy and her friends' human experience.
The 'twist' is scattered throughout the book - Ishiguro does a great job of saying things without saying them. After all this, there's a point where the truth is explained more plainly and then the end comes quickly. It left me with the same vague feeling you'd imagine the characters to have and I suspect this is intentional on Ishiguro's part. In life, the truth comes suddenly and it is not wholly new to us, it fills the gaps between what we know and don't and leaves us to just deal with it.
Never Let Me Go is a quiet book about loud ideas. It may not be for everyone, but it is thought-provoking.
Never Let Me Go kept me intrigued throughout the book. It's a story framed by Kathy H., who at 31 is reflecting on her life as she retires from being a 'carer' to become a 'donor'. You think you know what these words mean, much like you think you know the sort of place Hailsham is (on the surface, a typical British boarding school) but the more you read, the more you find that something very different is going on here.
I enjoyed Kathy's narration. It felt conversational, like listening to an old friend. Kathy would tell stories of her childhood and youth, often nesting stories within these to give a better context. By this, there was also a focus on the ordinary things (some might even say mundane). There's a larger and stranger world, but it's in the background of Kathy and her friends' human experience.
The 'twist' is scattered throughout the book - Ishiguro does a great job of saying things without saying them. After all this, there's a point where the truth is explained more plainly and then the end comes quickly. It left me with the same vague feeling you'd imagine the characters to have and I suspect this is intentional on Ishiguro's part. In life, the truth comes suddenly and it is not wholly new to us, it fills the gaps between what we know and don't and leaves us to just deal with it.
Never Let Me Go is a quiet book about loud ideas. It may not be for everyone, but it is thought-provoking.
mayke's review against another edition
4.0
I am happy that I finally decided to read this book. Great story. I wouldn't recommend this book if you want to read a happy story. I personally felt sad throughout the entire book. The lives of these people are completely determined, and not in a nice way. The lack of freedom made me feel terrible. Absolutely heartbreaking story. In the middle of the book there was a part where I lost a bit of interest in the story, but the rest was great.
laurajc's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
well this was devastating. i was anticipating a solemn ending, but i did not expect to tear up at the end. this was a very slow-moving book but it completely engrossed me. the writing in this will definitely not be everyone’s cup of tea but i loved it. there are so many subtleties woven throughout this book that they can be easy to miss but hard to forget when you catch them. while reading, i felt a sort of nostalgia for my childish innocence but also an impending doom for the characters despite not knowing what their fate would entail for a good chunk of the book. Ishiguro does an incredible job of keeping the reader just as unaware as the characters. what. a. book.