Strange isn't it, that a Japanese author can capture so well what it is like to be an English butler in the early 20th century?
I like this novel, possibly more than Never Let Me Go. It is written from the point of view of Mr Stephens, a man so committed to his professional role as a butler that he manages to keep the stiff upper lip even under enormous personal strain. Ishiguro never departs from Mr Stephen's voice and sometimes the readers are left guessing the true nature of what really happened.
While it is nostalgic, it never descends to the sentimental. It hints of a certain regret especially with regards to the choice of making one's own mistakes, but it ends on a positive note with Mr Stephens planning to improve his bantering skills. It is when the daylight is almost gone—the remains of the day—when one is most prone to nostalgic and regret, but Mr Stephens chooses to look ahead and keep learning. It is very admirable.
I am in the bright noontime of my day. I hope it will be a long one.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
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4 comments:
I adore this book. Did you watch the movie? It's good too.
Yay, we both like the same book! ;) No I haven't watched the movie. I may pick it up some day. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
It's not strange.If I remember correctly, Kazuo Ishiguro left Japan to study in UK when he was like five years old. So you can't see a shred of "Japanese" influence in his writing. He can't even speak much Japanese. The same applies to Never Let Me Go. I agree that The Remains of the Day is better...
I read both. But I can't weigh which one I like better. Never Let Me Go is a little bit more disturbing though.
~milktea
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