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kirstinman's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
writerreader's review against another edition
1.75
The kind of useless navel gazing British (or maybe just western, in the US this would have taken the form of some suburban angst book) book about myopic people that doesn't truly dive into the issue and only gives us subtlety-porn, which, I suppose, is what wins you Nobel prizes in lit. Someone should do a profile of the Nobel Lit prize committee. Nevermind its insularity, I'm guessing that such a profile will prove to be the best non-chemical sleep aid known to humankind.
edit: Just read the AI summation of all the other reviews:
"The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is a poignant and introspective novel that is a perfect fit for readers who appreciate nuanced explorations of loyalty, class, and regret, and are drawn to character-driven stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the quiet struggles of the human heart."
Huh, suppose when you put it that way...
edit: Just read the AI summation of all the other reviews:
"The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is a poignant and introspective novel that is a perfect fit for readers who appreciate nuanced explorations of loyalty, class, and regret, and are drawn to character-driven stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the quiet struggles of the human heart."
Huh, suppose when you put it that way...
shainswain's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
trishtrash76's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
4.25
matconnor's review against another edition
5.0
The Remains of the Day is the scariest book I’ve ever read.
That might seem like an odd statement to make because on the surface this novel is just about a butler calmly looking back on his life. He’s not a creepy murderous butler or secretly a ghost or anything like that. He’s a polite and committed butler, a little repressed and overly formal, but harmless and well-meaning.
My case for this being a horror novel is that—unlike ghosts, monsters, and vampires—this book touches on ideas that can actually haunt you in life: lost opportunities, regret, the indignities of aging, and the feeling that you’ve either wasted your life or didn’t meet your full potential.
Mr Stevens, the butler protagonist, looks back on his life and slowly realizes that he missed many opportunities to break out of his comfort zone and lead a more fulfilling, happier life.
A good book club discussion would be to ask the participants if they felt the ending was hopeful or hopeless. The right answer is probably a bit of both, but I bet the answers would tell a lot about each person and lead to an interesting discussion.
I read this book during the pandemic lockdown and I remember the depressing feeling I had when I finished. I would have said then (and probably now) that Mr Stevens clearly wasted his life and that any hopeful feelings he expressed at the end is just more self delusion to help him cope with that realization.
This book did leave me with a hopeful feeling though, because I made the decision there and then to be more open to new experiences, to be more willing to take risks and escape my comfort zone. I look back on the person I was when I finished that book and the person I am now and I’d make the case that this is one of the most positive, life-affirming novels I’ve ever read. Any novel that can scare you into improving your life is special.
This is a novel I think everyone should read at some point. Hopefully not too early in life before you are ready to absorb its lessons, but that would still be better than reading it too late.
That might seem like an odd statement to make because on the surface this novel is just about a butler calmly looking back on his life. He’s not a creepy murderous butler or secretly a ghost or anything like that. He’s a polite and committed butler, a little repressed and overly formal, but harmless and well-meaning.
My case for this being a horror novel is that—unlike ghosts, monsters, and vampires—this book touches on ideas that can actually haunt you in life: lost opportunities, regret, the indignities of aging, and the feeling that you’ve either wasted your life or didn’t meet your full potential.
Mr Stevens, the butler protagonist, looks back on his life and slowly realizes that he missed many opportunities to break out of his comfort zone and lead a more fulfilling, happier life.
A good book club discussion would be to ask the participants if they felt the ending was hopeful or hopeless. The right answer is probably a bit of both, but I bet the answers would tell a lot about each person and lead to an interesting discussion.
I read this book during the pandemic lockdown and I remember the depressing feeling I had when I finished. I would have said then (and probably now) that Mr Stevens clearly wasted his life and that any hopeful feelings he expressed at the end is just more self delusion to help him cope with that realization.
This book did leave me with a hopeful feeling though, because I made the decision there and then to be more open to new experiences, to be more willing to take risks and escape my comfort zone. I look back on the person I was when I finished that book and the person I am now and I’d make the case that this is one of the most positive, life-affirming novels I’ve ever read. Any novel that can scare you into improving your life is special.
This is a novel I think everyone should read at some point. Hopefully not too early in life before you are ready to absorb its lessons, but that would still be better than reading it too late.
tprineas's review against another edition
5.0
Stevens is a fun guy to read about, because it seems like he had an interesting life.
It was interesting he stuck to telling about his job over how scary England was during WWII.
I liked the ending, too. Honestly, I was kind of shipping him and Miss Kenton, even though I knew they'd never end up together, since he's not with her during his motoring. But, like, I feel like Ishiguro knew what his readers would be thinking.
I do like his books very much, on the whole.
It was interesting he stuck to telling about his job over how scary England was during WWII.
I liked the ending, too. Honestly, I was kind of shipping him and Miss Kenton, even though I knew they'd never end up together, since he's not with her during his motoring. But, like, I feel like Ishiguro knew what his readers would be thinking.
I do like his books very much, on the whole.
joysanwhoa's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.25
leoleaf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The protagonist is realistically single-minded and oblivious. The narrow scope of concerns in his relatively simple life and his general positivity made him likeable and a sensible narrator. It got a little slow in parts, but the pacing was overall appropriate and accentuated the important scenes all the more.
faintgirl's review against another edition
5.0
It has been rare in recent terms on this list that I've read a book so profoundly touching. The Remains of the Day is full of sorrow yet inescapably beautiful. It tells of Mr Stevens, the Butler at Darlington Hall, and his dedication to ensuring his job is carried out error free and with utmost dignity. Unfortunately, it is only when he is nearing the end of his life of servitude that he begins to reflect, and realise that perhaps he has neglected other areas of his life.
The Remains of the Day is beautifully narrated by Mr Stevens, as a rather quaint character who is rapidly becoming displaced out of time. Miss Kenton, the house keeper, is admirably fiery young woman with whom he concerns many of his thoughts. Outside of this relationship lies the greater issues of the day, the Second World War quite but ever present in the narrative.
It is difficult for me to describe quite what I find so affecting about this novel, but it is wonderfully unique and quite heartbreaking. Read it.
The Remains of the Day is beautifully narrated by Mr Stevens, as a rather quaint character who is rapidly becoming displaced out of time. Miss Kenton, the house keeper, is admirably fiery young woman with whom he concerns many of his thoughts. Outside of this relationship lies the greater issues of the day, the Second World War quite but ever present in the narrative.
It is difficult for me to describe quite what I find so affecting about this novel, but it is wonderfully unique and quite heartbreaking. Read it.
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
I've only been wanting to read this book since the movie came out, more than 20 years ago. Ishiguro winning the Nobel Prize was a good reminder! This is beautiful but slow and languid. And Stevens is so frustrating! Le sigh.