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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 against another edition
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
lorees_reading_nook's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.5
I had a hard time with the first half of this book and came close to not finishing it or flinging it out the window (except it's cold and all our windows are closed) several times. And yet, I decided to persevere because I was sure that all the love for this author and the five-star reviews for this particular work could not all be wrong. So here are my thoughts.
Dare I say that Stevens is one of the most staid, pedantic, dull and impenetrable characters I have ever had the pleasure to read about? But, may I also say that Ishiguro's characterization is absolutely spot on?
'...a butler's duty is to provide good service' and Stevens dedicated his life to doing just that, even during difficult personal moments. He never questioned or complained. So who am I to call him staid and dull? He lived doing what he lived best, his emotions hidden behind an impenetrable façade whose cracks we are rarely allowed to glimpse
This is not a plot-driven book. Indeed, I will go so far as to say that this book has no plot at all. It is just the story of a middle-aged man reminiscing about the past, about moments that he considered to be the highlights of his career, and the people he admired. In Stevens we have the epitome of a perfect butler, an exemplary employee at even the most difficult of times. It is how he wanted to be remembered and we, the reader, should feel happy for him.
But after reading the last page, I came away with a feeling of such intense sadness for this man who had sacrificed everything, even his own fleeting chance at happiness, and who was left with nothing but his dignity and his recollections. Stevens is a portrait of how I don't want to live my life. Ishiguro's genius lies in creating a character that seems so cold and distant but who you still feel the urge to hug (although I am sure it would have horrified him). I am sure I will reread this book one day. Such sublime writing needs to be read more than once but I fear that my choppy review does not quite do justice to this restrained, subtle but painfully accurate gem of a book.
Dare I say that Stevens is one of the most staid, pedantic, dull and impenetrable characters I have ever had the pleasure to read about? But, may I also say that Ishiguro's characterization is absolutely spot on?
'...a butler's duty is to provide good service' and Stevens dedicated his life to doing just that, even during difficult personal moments. He never questioned or complained. So who am I to call him staid and dull? He lived doing what he lived best, his emotions hidden behind an impenetrable façade whose cracks we are rarely allowed to glimpse
This is not a plot-driven book. Indeed, I will go so far as to say that this book has no plot at all. It is just the story of a middle-aged man reminiscing about the past, about moments that he considered to be the highlights of his career, and the people he admired. In Stevens we have the epitome of a perfect butler, an exemplary employee at even the most difficult of times. It is how he wanted to be remembered and we, the reader, should feel happy for him.
But after reading the last page, I came away with a feeling of such intense sadness for this man who had sacrificed everything, even his own fleeting chance at happiness, and who was left with nothing but his dignity and his recollections. Stevens is a portrait of how I don't want to live my life. Ishiguro's genius lies in creating a character that seems so cold and distant but who you still feel the urge to hug (although I am sure it would have horrified him). I am sure I will reread this book one day. Such sublime writing needs to be read more than once but I fear that my choppy review does not quite do justice to this restrained, subtle but painfully accurate gem of a book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism
megmo's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Dementia
Minor: War
risemini's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
aden_'s review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Antisemitism
conbeeni's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
Was recommended this book by a dear friend and I'm so glad I was. When I started, I found it hard to anticipate where the whole thing was going (not in a bad way, it just kept me on my toes), but as I read on, the sorrow of it all really started to creep up on me, only to culminate in tears during the final chapter. The tragedy of it lies in all that is unsaid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism and War
Minor: Grief
juliana05's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent