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A review by lorees_reading_nook
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
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
4.5
I had a hard time with the first half of this book and came close to not finishing it or flinging it out the window (except it's cold and all our windows are closed) several times. And yet, I decided to persevere because I was sure that all the love for this author and the five-star reviews for this particular work could not all be wrong. So here are my thoughts.
Dare I say that Stevens is one of the most staid, pedantic, dull and impenetrable characters I have ever had the pleasure to read about? But, may I also say that Ishiguro's characterization is absolutely spot on?
'...a butler's duty is to provide good service' and Stevens dedicated his life to doing just that, even during difficult personal moments. He never questioned or complained. So who am I to call him staid and dull? He lived doing what he lived best, his emotions hidden behind an impenetrable façade whose cracks we are rarely allowed to glimpse
This is not a plot-driven book. Indeed, I will go so far as to say that this book has no plot at all. It is just the story of a middle-aged man reminiscing about the past, about moments that he considered to be the highlights of his career, and the people he admired. In Stevens we have the epitome of a perfect butler, an exemplary employee at even the most difficult of times. It is how he wanted to be remembered and we, the reader, should feel happy for him.
But after reading the last page, I came away with a feeling of such intense sadness for this man who had sacrificed everything, even his own fleeting chance at happiness, and who was left with nothing but his dignity and his recollections. Stevens is a portrait of how I don't want to live my life. Ishiguro's genius lies in creating a character that seems so cold and distant but who you still feel the urge to hug (although I am sure it would have horrified him). I am sure I will reread this book one day. Such sublime writing needs to be read more than once but I fear that my choppy review does not quite do justice to this restrained, subtle but painfully accurate gem of a book.
Dare I say that Stevens is one of the most staid, pedantic, dull and impenetrable characters I have ever had the pleasure to read about? But, may I also say that Ishiguro's characterization is absolutely spot on?
'...a butler's duty is to provide good service' and Stevens dedicated his life to doing just that, even during difficult personal moments. He never questioned or complained. So who am I to call him staid and dull? He lived doing what he lived best, his emotions hidden behind an impenetrable façade whose cracks we are rarely allowed to glimpse
This is not a plot-driven book. Indeed, I will go so far as to say that this book has no plot at all. It is just the story of a middle-aged man reminiscing about the past, about moments that he considered to be the highlights of his career, and the people he admired. In Stevens we have the epitome of a perfect butler, an exemplary employee at even the most difficult of times. It is how he wanted to be remembered and we, the reader, should feel happy for him.
But after reading the last page, I came away with a feeling of such intense sadness for this man who had sacrificed everything, even his own fleeting chance at happiness, and who was left with nothing but his dignity and his recollections. Stevens is a portrait of how I don't want to live my life. Ishiguro's genius lies in creating a character that seems so cold and distant but who you still feel the urge to hug (although I am sure it would have horrified him). I am sure I will reread this book one day. Such sublime writing needs to be read more than once but I fear that my choppy review does not quite do justice to this restrained, subtle but painfully accurate gem of a book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism