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curious_oyster's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and War
Minor: Antisemitism and Classism
rebeccaquinton's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
elle_e_d_light's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A very quiet novel that is very reflective. Would suggest as a rainy day read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism
hakkun1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
booksjessreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Despite generally liking Ishiguro's work, I was really surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. I listened to the audio alongside this (which I think has strengthened my star rating - I am unsure it would have been 5 stars had I just read it on its own) and it really brought Stevens to life for me.
At first, I didn't really understand the purpose of the book, since it seems as though it is just an older gentleman revealing anecdotes about his life and you feel as though you learn a lot about his character and sense of identity in the first chapter. However, each chapter slowly and gradually reveals more about his identity and the unreliability of memory. Stevens spent his entire life priding himself on being a credit to his profession, but as you go through the book, you realise his unreliability as a narrator, you begin to understand how the reality of his work torments him and how he is forced to reconsider his memory and his past.
I think some of the chapters are really long, perhaps too long in some cases. However, the audio did really help me get through them and keep my attention.
Overall, I really loved the synthesis in this novel, the themes of memory, identity and the complexity of emotion was explored so well. Genuinely one of my favourite books this year and I would really recommend this to anyone!
At first, I didn't really understand the purpose of the book, since it seems as though it is just an older gentleman revealing anecdotes about his life and you feel as though you learn a lot about his character and sense of identity in the first chapter. However, each chapter slowly and gradually reveals more about his identity and the unreliability of memory. Stevens spent his entire life priding himself on being a credit to his profession, but as you go through the book, you realise his unreliability as a narrator, you begin to understand how the reality of his work torments him and how he is forced to reconsider his memory and his past.
I think some of the chapters are really long, perhaps too long in some cases. However, the audio did really help me get through them and keep my attention.
Overall, I really loved the synthesis in this novel, the themes of memory, identity and the complexity of emotion was explored so well. Genuinely one of my favourite books this year and I would really recommend this to anyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and War
natanidae's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: War
Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Alcohol
kibiiiariii's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Genocide, Ableism, Antisemitism, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, and War
laindarko2's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Dementia
india_g's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
goldenhand_the_just'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism