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bookish_bry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really was engaged with this book which is somewhat of a surprise since I didn't connect to the characters that well (which is usually a sticking point for me). I just loved the slow reveal and the show not tell thing Ishiguro did. I could tell from very near the start what type of thing was going on, but the characters themselves as children were oblivious. It was a very well handled mystery and I think the ending fit it very well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Medical trauma
amalielisabeth's review against another edition
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death, and Medical trauma
ellievelazquez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Medical trauma
klutzy347's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death
Moderate: Infertility, Bullying, and Sexual content
saskiahill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Death, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual content
halfpastsix's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Soft and brutal and quaint and tragic. Loved it. I didn't expect it to speak to my experience as a minority, but it did.
"There are people out there [...], who don't hate you or wish you any harm, but who nevertheless shudder at the very thought of you--of how you were brought into this world and why--and who dread the idea of your hand brushing against theirs."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Terminal illness, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
artmuseam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this was my first book that i read by ishiguro and i had some slightly high expectations, but in the end i felt disappointed at how slow the entire book was and how the plot unfolded. i wasn’t a huge fan of the writing either because there was this constant build up that would essentially lead to nothing, making me frustrated for the lack of impact. i thought the concept was pretty interesting, considering how it has ties to our reality and holds themes that were portrayed well. i would only recommend this to those who enjoy slowburn, as this wasn’t my own cup of tea. 3/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Forced institutionalization, and Death
emmaura's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Slow burn, with many twists along the way
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Chronic illness
lindsayerin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Child abuse
stbyleth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A really compelling and thoughtful read. Truly does this manage to consider some questions of ethics and morality. The ending is bittersweet and sad but it was more about the in between than the ending, and Cathy knows that too.
I enjoyed that this book presented information like a puzzle to be solved. The narration allowed such information to be digested easily. Some people have said that there's too many loose ends, but I disagree; this book sets out to ask the reader specific questions and does it really well. The overall world building is negligible in a book like this, so you don't need to know everything.
I really recommend this book. I read it for a book club and I'm glad I did. Very thought provoking, poignant, and relevant today.
I enjoyed that this book presented information like a puzzle to be solved. The narration allowed such information to be digested easily. Some people have said that there's too many loose ends, but I disagree; this book sets out to ask the reader specific questions and does it really well. The overall world building is negligible in a book like this, so you don't need to know everything.
I really recommend this book. I read it for a book club and I'm glad I did. Very thought provoking, poignant, and relevant today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Medical content
Minor: Infertility