Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Never Let Me Go

This is only my second Ishiguro after Klara and the Sun, but I was shocked that this had somehow managed to be even darker and more visceral. Despite it being achingly sad, there's a touching beauty to the melancholy - there's a grace and dignity to Kathy as a protagonist that is really moving.

There is so much about the world this is set in that remains unsaid, which is the most disturbing aspect of it. There's a reverberating, dull dread that gets more and more intense as more is revealed. And yet, once the pieces come together, there's a strange beauty beneath it all.

It is this conflicting tone that makes it such a beguiling read, even by dystopian standards. I'm thrilled to know there is a film adaptation, and if it's even a bit of the level of the book, I'll be in for a treat.

Content Warnings

marissasa's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

2.5

This book has a very interesting premise, especially with the idea of human clones being raised solely to become organ donors or caregivers for other donors. However, the nonlinear storytelling jumping back and forth between present day and past memories of the main trio made it hard to follow the narrative. I didn't connect with any of the characters as much as I wanted to, which is ironic because the whole message of the story is showing the humanity and life within these humans who were othered and seen as a lower class because of their status as clones for donations. I also disliked the ending where the entire reasoning behind Hailsham was just explained to them by one of the teachers as it felt like an easy choice without the same emotional weight it could've had if they had found out on their own somehow instead of being told it.

Content Warnings

scienceoftrash's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

Content Warnings

bookish_bry's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

I really was engaged with this book which is somewhat of a surprise since I didn't connect to the characters that well (which is usually a sticking point for me). I just loved the slow reveal and the show not tell thing Ishiguro did. I could tell from very near the start what type of thing was going on, but the characters themselves as children were oblivious. It was a very well handled mystery and I think the ending fit it very well.

Content Warnings