Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Never Let Me Go

Reviews tagging 'Medical content'

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

187 reviews

wyabook234's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.25

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro examines the value of human life and mind through the perspective of a character who isn't regarded as human, as she is a clone. Reading about how these "clones" grow up at Hailsham reveals how they adapt to idealisms of love and creativity that become a part of their lives and daily regimes. You've also learned through a portrayal of how society takes advantage of these clones and how we take our lives for granted. We also learned from the heartache of having Ruth, Kathy, and Tommy go through with what they were prepared for, with no control and further disappointments of what they can't do because their purpose has already been forced upon them.

While there is a love triangle, the disputes between all three teenagers aren't as bothersome because they do what they do to grasp onto their lives and any need for attachment as "clones." By the novel's end, you could feel empty of how much of a soul you can envision these clones having when they discover the truth about their existence.

I couldn't feel enough of a connection to these characters to bawl, and sometimes the plot meanders in the middle regarding how the kids act outside of Hailsham, except when it comes to looking for a music tape but that is just me.

Content Warnings

amorphousbl0b's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

Deeply depressing.

You will often be irritated with how reluctant characters are to take seemingly obvious corrective actions, to tell one another how they feel, to do the logical thing. That's because Ishiguro barely wrote characters; he just wrote people. Almost all of your problems probably resulted from you doing dumbass things. And the narrator's perspective seems to gloss over many of their more kind or intimate moments, because focusing on the arguments and the troubles is just how our memories act.

The slow burn of this book's reveals are masterfully executed. I don't want to allude to a single one of them, not even those in the first act of the story, lest I spoil the experience I had of walking into this book expecting one thing and slowly realizing it was a horror novel.

Content Warnings

fkshg8465's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

3.5

I had a hard time feeling sympathy for any of the characters, even though they probably deserve more sympathy than most people. I could also see a future where this kind of ethical technology actually comes to fruition. As it is today, part of my job is to help assess the digital ethics of some of our more advanced tech projects for potentially unintended consequences. Would’ve wasted this book higher given the subject matter could be so gripping, but it wasn’t quite, and I think it was because the characters lacked depth. However, that’s part of the genius of this book. After all, it’s hard to develop character when they have a very finite future. Actually, based on this little aha I just had, I’ll readjust to a 4.

Content Warnings

lisalovesbooks2's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was very disappointed in this book and had to force myself to finish it. I had heard that it was a very good book from multiple sources but definitely didn’t agree with that opinion. The story line dragged on, I didn’t care for the characters and was wishing that they would all be completed already so that I could stop reading. I’m not sure what people see in this book. I definitely didn’t see it and don’t recommend reading it.

Content Warnings

emilywemily6's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was underwhelming and I think this author just might not be a great fit for me. This writing style is intriguing and kept me interested for more, but it felt like nothing happened (very character focused yet with little character growth; plus no big reveals). I knew from early on in the book what was going on and I never learned anything more than what was easily extrapolated. It took zero imagination and I was disappointed that even with so many subtle promises of a reveal, I was never rewarded. Sci-fi? Who is she? I would call this more of a speculative, coming-of-age fiction. I wanted WAY more world-building and answers to what was happening, why the world got that way, and how they even accomplished it. This book was melancholic and languid and I think it will stay in my mind for a while, but since we didn’t get any world building and few perspectives from the wider world, the subtle thoughts on humanity lacked substance. Many people have found meaning in the minutia of Kathy’s memories but it lacked the oomph I want in a story like this. Lots of Kathy’s internal musings without any real growth or change in understanding throughout the whole book.

Content Warnings

nightstitch96's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

2.5

Content Warnings

gladosisreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Despite finding the back-and-forth storytelling a little disruptive for the pacing at times, this was a really unique book that dealt with some horrific topics in a really beautiful way. The narrative voice was especially strong, and even if certain sections were a little repetitive (which took me out of the story a bit), the urge to get to the bottom of things -

even though deep down you likely already suspect the ending

- really swept me away!

Content Warnings