10.6k reviews for:

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro

4.08 AVERAGE

nathanflores01's review against another edition

4.75

emotional reflective 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: Complicated

rhartman's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

shiguy's review against another edition

2.25

lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mollywonders's review against another edition

5.0

reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sietske76's review against another edition

4.5

reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

kate_lemer's review against another edition

5.0

inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

dvdt's review against another edition

4.5

reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

abyssinian's review against another edition

5.0

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

kittenluver54's review against another edition

4.5

emotional 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

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Kazuo Ishiguro's prose in The Remains of the Day is brilliant. The writing style and mood truly fit the vibe of an English butler. The story itself revolves around Stevens. He is a dutiful butler who doesn't truly become himself, even when alone. When he goes on a road trip to visit an old coworker, Stevens begins to have time to reflect on his life. We see moments from his earlier days as a butler, time during World War II, and his present time after. The discussion on what makes a good butler and who is a good butler is interesting. Throughout the story, Stevens is stopped in several places. His different experiences are interesting as he tries to be polite, yet still defends his former master. It truly shows his dutifulness towards Lord Darlington, even when he is in the wrong. It brings about the question of how blindly you should follow someone. Stevens realizes that he has been so caught up in his professional life that he has neglected personal relationships, such as his father and Miss Kenton. Overall, this book shows how one needs to realize what truly matters to them and is authentic. Otherwise, one will not truly know one's true self. 

tigerbones's review against another edition

4.0

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I surprisingly loved it! The flashbacks were of course my favorite part and the narrator’s slow self reflection that Lord Darlington was a flawed man was artfully done. I recommend it!