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darbo's review against another edition
I simply felt like I started the book too long ago that I didn’t quite remember all of its plot points. When I tried reading it again after a few months, I found the writing very dense and the events not interesting enough to keep me hooked. Those two factors combined, unfortunately, made me DNF this book.
alexandre_rl's review against another edition
3.0
Il est assez rare qu'un livre de 900 pages que j'ai traîné pendant deux mois me laisse sans émotion. Pourtant, le sujet m'interpelait beaucoup. Un pianiste émérite du nom de Ryder arrive dans une ville sans nom de l'Europe de l'Est où il doit donner un concert censé redorer le blason artistique de l'endroit. Malheureusement, les habitants s'accrochent sans cesse à lui pour qu'il leur rende de menus services qui l'empêchent de se consacrer à son art.
On s'aperçoit rapidement que l'histoire se situe dans un univers kafkaesque qui obéit à la logique du rêve et où les réactions des personnages sont improbables. Ryder, qui est supposé mettre les pieds dans cette ville pour la première fois, y a pourtant un fils et une femme qu'il ne semble nullement surpris de retrouver. L'architecture de la ville n'a aucune structure logique. Les habitants semblent tout à fait imperméables aux réticences de Ryder qui lui paraît incapable de refuser quoi que ce soit.
Certains passages sont amusants et le livre est admirablement bien écrit. Le problème, c'est que le personnage de Ryder intéresse peu et que son mutisme devant les dérangements interminables qu'il endure devient lassant. Sur 200 pages, le projet aurait tenu. Mais sur 900, c'est assez difficile de trouver une raison de continuer, en dehors de la beauté de l'écriture et d'une volonté de savoir si Ishiguro nous conduit vers un grand dessein qui nous échappe. Malheureusement ce n'est pas le cas, et j'ai fermé le livre sans rien ressentir.
On s'aperçoit rapidement que l'histoire se situe dans un univers kafkaesque qui obéit à la logique du rêve et où les réactions des personnages sont improbables. Ryder, qui est supposé mettre les pieds dans cette ville pour la première fois, y a pourtant un fils et une femme qu'il ne semble nullement surpris de retrouver. L'architecture de la ville n'a aucune structure logique. Les habitants semblent tout à fait imperméables aux réticences de Ryder qui lui paraît incapable de refuser quoi que ce soit.
Certains passages sont amusants et le livre est admirablement bien écrit. Le problème, c'est que le personnage de Ryder intéresse peu et que son mutisme devant les dérangements interminables qu'il endure devient lassant. Sur 200 pages, le projet aurait tenu. Mais sur 900, c'est assez difficile de trouver une raison de continuer, en dehors de la beauté de l'écriture et d'une volonté de savoir si Ishiguro nous conduit vers un grand dessein qui nous échappe. Malheureusement ce n'est pas le cas, et j'ai fermé le livre sans rien ressentir.
sbtariq's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very dream-like, bit hard to keep up at the beginning but overall a very splendid read.
fairywren's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
vortimer's review against another edition
5.0
Went into this completely blind, and after little confusion about a long rambling speech made by a elderly hotel porter to the protagonist, it became clear that the main character is in a dream. He can travel miles, and enter a building, and be in a eariler location. Things change about him, an example being when he's asked to speak to the porters semi estranged daughter, and her young son, and during the meeting with these strangers, he morphs into being in a strained longterm relationship with her, struggling to connect with his de facto stepson.
With a tight schedule he can't quite remember, he attempted to get to appointments, while the people he meets ask things of him, often to carry out favours and tasks to solve their raw hidden personal pain caused by events and decisions buried deep in their past. As this growing list prevents him carrying out his already agreed errands, the strain grows.
While utterly compelling, I found this a physically difficult listen (I tackled this on audible) as accompanying Ryder on his epic anxiety dream brings all too much to mind the dreams caused by the catalogue of problems and overwork in the community sector during the stresses of the pandemic. There where times I had to switch to a pulpy easy read, and even considered abandoning the novel, as there were moments I felt my chest tightening.
I've skimmed Wikipedia, and seen this is a novel that sharply divided opinions, but for what it's worth, I thought it a work of genius.
With a tight schedule he can't quite remember, he attempted to get to appointments, while the people he meets ask things of him, often to carry out favours and tasks to solve their raw hidden personal pain caused by events and decisions buried deep in their past. As this growing list prevents him carrying out his already agreed errands, the strain grows.
While utterly compelling, I found this a physically difficult listen (I tackled this on audible) as accompanying Ryder on his epic anxiety dream brings all too much to mind the dreams caused by the catalogue of problems and overwork in the community sector during the stresses of the pandemic. There where times I had to switch to a pulpy easy read, and even considered abandoning the novel, as there were moments I felt my chest tightening.
I've skimmed Wikipedia, and seen this is a novel that sharply divided opinions, but for what it's worth, I thought it a work of genius.
frostap's review against another edition
4.0
For as confusing as the plot was, "The Unconsoled" wasn't a bad read. I'd be curious to talk about this at a book club, because either I 1) missed the point or 2) there maybe isn't a point. I wondered if some of the underlying themes (parent-child relationships, life seemingly out of control, haunting reminders of the past, etc.) were issues Ishiguro himself struggled with as an artist? I don't know.
I did spend the first 100 or so pages (which I think take place during one afternoon/evening) so disoriented. I kept thinking (throughout the book, actually) "what time is it?! They've been up all night!" The action had a dreamlike quality. I often have dreams where there's something I have to get done and I just can't seem to arrive, much like Ryder (I guess that's a spoiler?). Interesting read.
I did spend the first 100 or so pages (which I think take place during one afternoon/evening) so disoriented. I kept thinking (throughout the book, actually) "what time is it?! They've been up all night!" The action had a dreamlike quality. I often have dreams where there's something I have to get done and I just can't seem to arrive, much like Ryder (I guess that's a spoiler?). Interesting read.
mercurue's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
biha's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
2.0
His most difficult read if im honest. It took me a long time to finish this book as I genuinely felt like i was having a panic attack with the way Mr. Ryder was ALWAYS being distracted by something. Did he even sleep? It seems like he just took a nap or two, was interrupted, then woke up to another task feeling like he only slept for a few moments. There were so many questions answered and I genuinely felt like I was in dream- which after finishing the book & reading another review, apparently this is the tone. Which makes a lot more sense but if you’re someone who already has anxiety AND anxiety dreams about performing/ doing a task/ having pressure on yourself to succeed- this is not the book for you. I absolutely love Kazuo Ishiguro and I would like to re read this book with a new outlook and perspective and I think could see it becoming more likeable.