jenmb 's review for:

The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

3.0

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I enjoy Ishiguro’s writing but am feeling a huge wave of relief after completing this novel. The Unconsoled reads like a long stress dream where the protagonist, Ryder, gets caught by request after confusing request on his way to complete his own tasks (that are never quite made clear). There are themes of estrangement, dysfunctional familial relationships, and misunderstandings fueled by lack of direct communication. Through all of it, it’s hard to determine what’s wrong with Ryder — does he have amnesia? dementia? Is he just a self-important ass pretending to not remember? — and what exactly he’s doing on his tour?