Scan barcode
A review by pineconek
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
challenging
emotional
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
2.75
I love how eclectic of an author Ishiguro is. I find some of his works brilliant, and others painfully boring. This one ended up in the latter bin.
The beginning was stellar: we follow an elderly couple who live in a village where an omnipresent mist dulls their memories of specific past events. Through this haze, they remember that they have a son who left them (under possibly mysterious circumstances) and decide to set out for his village and visit them.
A point of annoyance quickly arises: the man calls the woman "princess" in every other sentence he utters. This never got less grating.
We follow them on their quest where they meet an Arthurian knight, a mysterious boatman, and hear tales of a she-dragon. This got quite repetitive and stretched out through the bulk of the book.
And then, the last few pages contain a reveal that I won't spoil for you. While the reveal is heartbreaking, the journey ultimately didn't feel like it was worth the destination.
Recommended if you're a fan of Ishiguro's work where most things are unsaid (I'm looking at you, Remains of the Day), enjoy an Arthurian middle England setting, and are in need of a sad fairytale for grown-ups. 2.75 stars on SG rounded up to 3 on GR.
The beginning was stellar: we follow an elderly couple who live in a village where an omnipresent mist dulls their memories of specific past events. Through this haze, they remember that they have a son who left them (under possibly mysterious circumstances) and decide to set out for his village and visit them.
A point of annoyance quickly arises: the man calls the woman "princess" in every other sentence he utters. This never got less grating.
We follow them on their quest where they meet an Arthurian knight, a mysterious boatman, and hear tales of a she-dragon. This got quite repetitive and stretched out through the bulk of the book.
And then, the last few pages contain a reveal that I won't spoil for you. While the reveal is heartbreaking, the journey ultimately didn't feel like it was worth the destination.
Recommended if you're a fan of Ishiguro's work where most things are unsaid (I'm looking at you, Remains of the Day), enjoy an Arthurian middle England setting, and are in need of a sad fairytale for grown-ups. 2.75 stars on SG rounded up to 3 on GR.