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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the second Kazuo Ishiguro book I’ve read and he’s quickly becoming my favorite author. While I was initially worried this would be boring based on the premise, because it is inherently boring, Ishiguro has such an impressive control of language and human emotion that elevates and deepens everything he writes. Mr. Stevens’s inner monologue is crafted in a way that he easily deceives himself of his innermost human emotions, but he can’t deceive the reader. His reflections on historical events, politics, and classism also give a seamless glance into early 20th century England. This story is a masterclass on writing complexly on everyday topics in a soft, digestible, and thought-provoking way. I’m so excited to read more Ishiguro.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Classism
Minor: War
reflective
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
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
This was the literary equivalent of an old telling you their long boring story, seemingly dragging down time to the most glacial pace. Your time is better spent watching
"shaun of the dead". Admittedly beautiful prose and earnest intentions but ishiguro is just not for me!
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The whole book I was thinking I GOTTA see this movie - so much of the story is deeply internal and the idea that it provoked someone to make a film that was well-received is wild. I really liked the slow pace, very little actually happens but the characters are developed in reminiscence and it’s very insightful about a particular way of life that I’ve never experienced. I had no preconceived ideas about this book and it turned out to be great!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Classism
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Meh. Never got me hooked. Felt like sitting in public transport and tuning in to a mildly interesting, albeit never interesting, conversation.
reflective
sad
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
reflective
slow-paced
soooooo fricken sloooooowwww. good writing? i guess? it’s just BORING. i enjoyed the last 50ish pages? just not my cup of tea ¯\_(ツ)_/¯