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A review by evanorlando
A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Not what it says on the tin but still good. Doesn't really dissect the experience of the loved ones of those who commit su/c/de but what you do get is an interesting reflection on certain mundane events in Etsukos life (much like 'Never Let Me Go' is merely a collection of Kathy's memories and never really confronts the crushing reality of their purpose).
Ishiguro is an incredibly skilled writer and I find and where he shines is where he gets you to absolutely despise certain characters, particularly Sachiko. I have never hated so many characters in one book so much. Sachiko particularly is so infuriatingly dissmissive of her childs safety, needs and just lived experience >:(
I will say, the only thing that stands out quite a bit - after reading his more acclaimed works - is his use of 'time jumps'. Where in Never Let Me Go they're very clear and natural, in this novel it's often unclear for the first sentence in a new time. It's nothing major and doesn't distract too much but there is still that mental shift you have to do manually.
As a debut novel it is incredibly strong. But that's exactly what it is; a debut. You can see his excellent mind and you just cannot wait to see what he does next.
Ishiguro is an incredibly skilled writer and I find and where he shines is where he gets you to absolutely despise certain characters, particularly Sachiko. I have never hated so many characters in one book so much. Sachiko particularly is so infuriatingly dissmissive of her childs safety, needs and just lived experience >:(
I will say, the only thing that stands out quite a bit - after reading his more acclaimed works - is his use of 'time jumps'. Where in Never Let Me Go they're very clear and natural, in this novel it's often unclear for the first sentence in a new time. It's nothing major and doesn't distract too much but there is still that mental shift you have to do manually.
As a debut novel it is incredibly strong. But that's exactly what it is; a debut. You can see his excellent mind and you just cannot wait to see what he does next.