hannahjane451's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
epiphoria's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I am not sure what it is about this book that touched me so much. But it has become one of my favourites. One I will definitely come back to. My heart goes out for Mr. Stevens. The man has never caught a clue in his entire workaholic life.
ashleyw95's review against another edition
5.0
Directly after reading this novel, I read The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, coincidentally another book about living with regret. The Remains of the Day was an intriguing look at the life of one of the last 'true' butlers in England, at the way he has suppressed all the real and true feelings in his life, in pursuit of his obsession with being the greatest in his field of work. And he achieves this greatness. But what did it cost him? His relationship with his father, the potential of love that passed him by. Over a six day car journey in his later years, he finally gets a chance to consider his behaviour during his life, and the possibility of making up for lost time.
harpersee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reading a book from the perspective of a man who has been so assiduously trained to deny his own emotions and experiences to the service of others does say something true about the human experience. Throughout the novel it is clear Stevens is justifying in some way his own commitment to his work as a butler. Though stubbornly blind to this reality, it is also clear that he is grappling with the chance he missed at love with a former colleague. Only meeting her for the first time after many years does he have his singular moment of emotional clarity in the entirety of the plot: “All those years I served him, I trusted I was doing something worthwhile. I can’t even say I made my own mistakes. Really - one has to ask oneself - what dignity is there in that?”
Ultimately the novel returns to a place of safety for Stevens - a matter of developing his skill of bantering to please a current employer. Ultimately he seeks the familiar, the place in which he can eke out some semblance of pride, even with all his career has taken from him.
The point here is not to be harsh to Stevens, who has done his best in the world in which he was reared. But there is a deep sadness to it nonetheless, and one which is deeply human. The world as it exists makes so many of us feel like cogs spinning in a process in which he have no say ; we feel simply bandied forward by the processes of time and powerful men and try them to make meaning of the lot we are given. That meaning making is not nothing. It is actually dignified.
But how much more could someone like Steven’s have experienced and enjoyed had he lived in a more humane system? It’s a question I hope future generations never have to ask of themselves.
Ultimately the novel returns to a place of safety for Stevens - a matter of developing his skill of bantering to please a current employer. Ultimately he seeks the familiar, the place in which he can eke out some semblance of pride, even with all his career has taken from him.
The point here is not to be harsh to Stevens, who has done his best in the world in which he was reared. But there is a deep sadness to it nonetheless, and one which is deeply human. The world as it exists makes so many of us feel like cogs spinning in a process in which he have no say ; we feel simply bandied forward by the processes of time and powerful men and try them to make meaning of the lot we are given. That meaning making is not nothing. It is actually dignified.
But how much more could someone like Steven’s have experienced and enjoyed had he lived in a more humane system? It’s a question I hope future generations never have to ask of themselves.
emiann2023's review against another edition
4.0
I can definitely see how this is a Nobel-prize and Booker prize book. It is quietly unassuming and yet provocative in its message and prose.
But the problem I had is that Stevens is about as interesting as wet paint. He is so focused one the aspect of his life that he is literally only that. Not to say that he made the story bad, I get why, but it was hard to keep reading. Honestly, my favorite character was the Frenchman Dupont.
But the problem I had is that Stevens is about as interesting as wet paint. He is so focused one the aspect of his life that he is literally only that. Not to say that he made the story bad, I get why, but it was hard to keep reading. Honestly, my favorite character was the Frenchman Dupont.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review against another edition
5.0
What is the key to a happy life? “I rather fancy it has more to do with this skill of bantering.” The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is an introspective masterpiece by Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. Mr. Stevens is the butler at Darlington House. This novel covers a week where he considers his life of dignity and service, while the reader considers the broader question of the meaning and purpose of life. Mr. Stevens ends on a melancholy note but the reader gains from sharing the week.
A beautiful novel for those who have more to look back to than forward to.
For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-remains-of-day-by-kazuo-ishiguro.html
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
A beautiful novel for those who have more to look back to than forward to.
For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-remains-of-day-by-kazuo-ishiguro.html
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
mairelessing's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.25
gretasbookclub's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nickpadmore's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kami5's review against another edition
5.0
I believe that I have started this book many times but have been unable to finish it; however with the help of a reading club it became a lot more of an enjoyable read now that I can more fully appreciate the unreliable narration of the book. This read is really sad and it's pretty much the destructive tale of two men following their own strict codes of living and being ultimately betrayed by them because of their failure to adapt. I think this is one of the best books I've read in a long time and is well worth one's time.