A review by bayerwithme
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

4.0

Stevens might be considered a national British treasure as one of the "great" butlers left from a time in which loyalty and dignity were ideal and viewed as a necessity to living a "great" life. His rare identity as one of the few remaining gentleman's butlers in post-war Europe is perceived when his new American employer reminds him that his service is considered part of Darlington Hall's real estate value and by this it is interpreted that Steven's life focus of striving to be "great" has been achieved. In his new post-war life, he reflects on his past and gains perspective into his life decisions and their consequences but comes across as an unreliable narrator due to the personal isolation he purposely maintains throughout his life for the sole purpose of possessing the dignity needed to rise to the level of his profession's "greatness". Towards the end of the book and his life, he slowly comes to the realization that people need others' views and personal relationships to maintain humanity rather than Steven's dignity that he cherished all throughout his younger years. He ignored all opportunities of inner growth such did the european nobility ignored the rise of Nazi Germany all in the name of maintaining old world traditions and values. This realization at first inspires sadness but soon he grasps that regretting one's past achieves nothing and he begins to look forward to living out his remaining years with his new goal of striving for the simple warmth of human interactions.