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rnbhargava's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
3.5
This is rightfully considered a modern classic. However, it’s intentionally slow paced, almost monotonous. That said, I mostly quite admire it. The protagonist, Stevens the Butler, is reconciling his past and whether he fully engaged with life, friendships and potential loves, and whether his employer is a good person given who he associated with during war time and whether those he sympathized with were worthy of admiration. The idea of what’s appropriate while working as a Butler. Miss Kenton is quite the character that highlights that grey line between close friendship and romantic love for Stevens. Stephens’ fixation and recollections of her form the core of the plot. There are some comedic bits as well. A lot of this book is about what was said or left unsaid. Though I’m giving this a 3.5, honestly I will probably think about this book for a long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, and Classism
A lot of the content about the plot of this book is about what’s unsaid and the biases of Stevens the Butler. It’s told through recollections. It’s possible I’ve missed some triggers so be aware.torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
booksjessreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Despite generally liking Ishiguro's work, I was really surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. I listened to the audio alongside this (which I think has strengthened my star rating - I am unsure it would have been 5 stars had I just read it on its own) and it really brought Stevens to life for me.
At first, I didn't really understand the purpose of the book, since it seems as though it is just an older gentleman revealing anecdotes about his life and you feel as though you learn a lot about his character and sense of identity in the first chapter. However, each chapter slowly and gradually reveals more about his identity and the unreliability of memory. Stevens spent his entire life priding himself on being a credit to his profession, but as you go through the book, you realise his unreliability as a narrator, you begin to understand how the reality of his work torments him and how he is forced to reconsider his memory and his past.
I think some of the chapters are really long, perhaps too long in some cases. However, the audio did really help me get through them and keep my attention.
Overall, I really loved the synthesis in this novel, the themes of memory, identity and the complexity of emotion was explored so well. Genuinely one of my favourite books this year and I would really recommend this to anyone!
At first, I didn't really understand the purpose of the book, since it seems as though it is just an older gentleman revealing anecdotes about his life and you feel as though you learn a lot about his character and sense of identity in the first chapter. However, each chapter slowly and gradually reveals more about his identity and the unreliability of memory. Stevens spent his entire life priding himself on being a credit to his profession, but as you go through the book, you realise his unreliability as a narrator, you begin to understand how the reality of his work torments him and how he is forced to reconsider his memory and his past.
I think some of the chapters are really long, perhaps too long in some cases. However, the audio did really help me get through them and keep my attention.
Overall, I really loved the synthesis in this novel, the themes of memory, identity and the complexity of emotion was explored so well. Genuinely one of my favourite books this year and I would really recommend this to anyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and War
kibiiiariii's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Genocide, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Classism
laindarko2's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Dementia
megmo's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Dementia, and Grief
Minor: War
conbeeni's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
Was recommended this book by a dear friend and I'm so glad I was. When I started, I found it hard to anticipate where the whole thing was going (not in a bad way, it just kept me on my toes), but as I read on, the sorrow of it all really started to creep up on me, only to culminate in tears during the final chapter. The tragedy of it lies in all that is unsaid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism and War
Minor: Grief
oceanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
At first, I found the book painfully slow (and admittedly uninteresting). Though I can't say it exactly picked up the pace, I got more invested. I enjoyed the exploration of Stevens' reserved relationships and the dedication to his work. The messages of the story are subtle. Compared to other books not a lot happens, but that somehow seems to resonate deeper. Even though the book is being told by Stevens, Miss Kenton's longing comes through strongly despite the wall Stevens' has built surrounding any sort of intimacy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Death, Grief, and War
bisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
This is one of the best books I've ever read. I just didn’t necessarily enjoy it. It’s a fascinating, layered, beautifully-written character study of one of the most boring characters I’ve ever encountered. He’s a deeply tragic figure in a lot of ways, but wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Racism, Grief, and War
nofacelif's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
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
2.5
I enjoyed that the protagonist's flaws and character growth were a significant part of the novel and the discussions surrounding dignity. Ishiguro brilliantly manages to establish a political undertone without it being the main focus. However, I think I just didn't connect much with the novel. There isn't really a story, and it's very slow-paced and boring at times. Therefore, it came as a letdown after reading Never Let Me Go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and War