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chrisrohlev1234's review against another edition
4.0
Prose:3
Story:5
Overall I gave this book four stars to average out the two above categories. When awarding the Nobel Prize to to Kashuo Ishiguro, the Swedish Academy wrote "who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world." I think this rings true especially for this novel. The way the author builds a relationship from the start and then crushes it moved me. Moved me so much so that I really believe this is one of the saddest stories I have ever read. Kafka once said something along the lines of "a story should cut you like a knife." And for this novel that is more true than any other I have read. The prose was overwhelmingly mediocre which in most cases is a detriment to the book. I think in this case however, the author did it on purpose. He writes so plainly and matter-of-factly to truly express the bleakness of the story and of Kathy. Overall, the prose wasn't great but I care more about the story which was amazing.
Story:5
Overall I gave this book four stars to average out the two above categories. When awarding the Nobel Prize to to Kashuo Ishiguro, the Swedish Academy wrote "who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world." I think this rings true especially for this novel. The way the author builds a relationship from the start and then crushes it moved me. Moved me so much so that I really believe this is one of the saddest stories I have ever read. Kafka once said something along the lines of "a story should cut you like a knife." And for this novel that is more true than any other I have read. The prose was overwhelmingly mediocre which in most cases is a detriment to the book. I think in this case however, the author did it on purpose. He writes so plainly and matter-of-factly to truly express the bleakness of the story and of Kathy. Overall, the prose wasn't great but I care more about the story which was amazing.
abee_and_a_book's review against another edition
5.0
I am still sobbing - with both sadness and wonder.
I will sum this book up in 3 lines.
Beautifully written dystopia disguised as a memoir.
Thought provoking and heart-string-tugging.
A completely original and brilliantly clever take on the fear behind human intelligence.
Loved it! I definitely want to read more from the author!
I will sum this book up in 3 lines.
Beautifully written dystopia disguised as a memoir.
Thought provoking and heart-string-tugging.
A completely original and brilliantly clever take on the fear behind human intelligence.
Loved it! I definitely want to read more from the author!
liznew's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book, since I had heard great things about it, but I found it so hard to get through. The narrator kept going off on tangents, and I just wanted to get to the plot.
marianka1992's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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? No
3.0
quietgrasshopper's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shemsn's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
noel_rene_cisneros's review against another edition
4.0
Bildungsroman sobre Kathy H quien creció en una institución a la que ella, como narradora, da por hecho como parte de la existencia, donde se relaciona con Ruth, su mejor amiga, a quien le gusta mantener el control inventando historias y Tommy un niño que no podía controlar sus emociones. La narradora cuenta que crecen en una institución, sin ser clara sobre por qué están en ella, mientras revela que ninguno de ellos podrá tener hijos y que, en ese momento -desde el que narra- ella es una cuidadora. A lo largo de la narración descubrimos que se trata de clones que han sido desarrollados para suplir de órganos a otras personas, y que la institución en la que pasaron su infancia era una isntitución experimental para demostrar la humanidad de los clones. Ishiguro logra construir una voz creíble que se desarrolla desde su infancia hasta su adolescencia, una joven que aprende a hacer propio el mundo y su vida con lo poco que posee.
humanpuke's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5