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wyabook234's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro examines the value of human life and mind through the perspective of a character who isn't regarded as human, as she is a clone. Reading about how these "clones" grow up at Hailsham reveals how they adapt to idealisms of love and creativity that become a part of their lives and daily regimes. You've also learned through a portrayal of how society takes advantage of these clones and how we take our lives for granted. We also learned from the heartache of having Ruth, Kathy, and Tommy go through with what they were prepared for, with no control and further disappointments of what they can't do because their purpose has already been forced upon them.
While there is a love triangle, the disputes between all three teenagers aren't as bothersome because they do what they do to grasp onto their lives and any need for attachment as "clones." By the novel's end, you could feel empty of how much of a soul you can envision these clones having when they discover the truth about their existence.
I couldn't feel enough of a connection to these characters to bawl, and sometimes the plot meanders in the middle regarding how the kids act outside of Hailsham, except when it comes to looking for a music tape but that is just me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Bullying and Infertility
Minor: Cancer
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
3.5
I had a hard time feeling sympathy for any of the characters, even though they probably deserve more sympathy than most people. I could also see a future where this kind of ethical technology actually comes to fruition. As it is today, part of my job is to help assess the digital ethics of some of our more advanced tech projects for potentially unintended consequences. Would’ve wasted this book higher given the subject matter could be so gripping, but it wasn’t quite, and I think it was because the characters lacked depth. However, that’s part of the genius of this book. After all, it’s hard to develop character when they have a very finite future. Actually, based on this little aha I just had, I’ll readjust to a 4.
I had a hard time feeling sympathy for any of the characters, even though they probably deserve more sympathy than most people. I could also see a future where this kind of ethical technology actually comes to fruition. As it is today, part of my job is to help assess the digital ethics of some of our more advanced tech projects for potentially unintended consequences. Would’ve wasted this book higher given the subject matter could be so gripping, but it wasn’t quite, and I think it was because the characters lacked depth. However, that’s part of the genius of this book. After all, it’s hard to develop character when they have a very finite future. Actually, based on this little aha I just had, I’ll readjust to a 4.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
kourtjohnstone's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this story. I buddy read it and I highly recommend sharing the reading experiences with a friend or a bookclub to pause and discuss.
Never Let Me Go is a quietly powerful novel that explores deep questions about humanity and ethics. Kazuo Ishiguro tells the story of Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, students at a mysterious boarding school, as they gradually uncover the disturbing truth about their lives.
Never Let Me Go is a quietly powerful novel that explores deep questions about humanity and ethics. Kazuo Ishiguro tells the story of Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, students at a mysterious boarding school, as they gradually uncover the disturbing truth about their lives.
The writing is subtle, building a sense of unease that lingers. It's a haunting read, focusing on love, loss, and what it means to be human. Perfect for those who enjoy thought-provoking fiction with a gloomy twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
Minor: Bullying and Cancer
lililoos's review against another edition
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
5.0
This book made me stare at a wall and cry for a good few minutes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Classism
veposve's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Cancer
eva_vva'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infertility, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Infidelity, Blood, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Infertility, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Grief
grunbean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
This is my first read of 2024 and it’s been a good start. I read some reviews while updating my page numbers, and I was interested by the mixed takes on how a lot of the book is reflecting on the past. This is not a book that takes you forward. It takes you back.
There are parts of the story that I feel are incomplete. Some of my questions don’t have answers which is frustrating! However, I really enjoyed the story and how it was framed. I will be looking into more Ishiguro.
There are parts of the story that I feel are incomplete. Some of my questions don’t have answers which is frustrating! However, I really enjoyed the story and how it was framed. I will be looking into more Ishiguro.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Medical content
Minor: Cancer and Sexual content
carojust's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
2.5
Sometimes you don't vibe with a book, and this is one of those for me. I made the mistake of listening to the hype, seeing the awards, and inflating my expectations. I still think this book is still important, and worth a read, with a sobering message.
The writing is repetitive and meandering, a first-person POV with a protagonist I had a hard time liking, surrounded by other characters that were faintly filled in, and just as difficult to warm up to, often frustrating me. No one likes each other, any relationships are rote.
It's a story with no satisfaction intended, and there are no spikes of events, just a long narrative. The entirety is desolate.
The commentary is clear: humanity is cruel. Life is futile. Innocence is lost. The real world is a lie.
Maybe I'll try re-reading when I'm in a different mindset.
The writing is repetitive and meandering, a first-person POV with a protagonist I had a hard time liking, surrounded by other characters that were faintly filled in, and just as difficult to warm up to, often frustrating me. No one likes each other, any relationships are rote.
It's a story with no satisfaction intended, and there are no spikes of events, just a long narrative. The entirety is desolate.
The commentary is clear: humanity is cruel. Life is futile. Innocence is lost. The real world is a lie.
Maybe I'll try re-reading when I'm in a different mindset.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Toxic friendship
mlewis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Infidelity, Xenophobia, and Grief