Reviews

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

slerner's review against another edition

2.0

Did not care for the narrator’s storytelling. Found it frustrating and dull.

cryptidcrouton's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

anaraquel_366's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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

4.5

juliettegde's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

zemthings's review against another edition

2.0

I was told by everyone who saw me reading this book that I would be shocked/emotional/crying at the end...nope. I didn't feel anything but slightly bored. Our narrator is very precise and almost, to me, emotionless. How am I supposed to feel anything for characters that don't seem to feel themselves?

Interesting concept, good execution, but very bland (in my opinion).

agallante's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

breadisgone's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

stev's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

cecrbc's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jimbowen0306's review against another edition

4.0

This book follows the life of Kathy, Ruth and Tommy as they grow up at a nice boarding school, move on to placements outside the school, and then go on to live outside their controlled environments, as donors.

The story, narated by Kathy, describes the claustrophobia (wrong word, but I can't think of a better one), and intensity of their lives really well. Having gone to private school myself, I can say he's really caught the feeling of their time at school.

The book then evolves into one where we see how they position themselves in the world. That is where the book gets depressing. It's still really well written, but sad because we see how limited their horizons have become.

I'd recommend the book, but don't find out about their lives before you read the book, it'll lessen the book for you.