A Pale View of Hills

This book is so, so boring. There are a few scenes that have tension to them, specifically with regard to the poisoned relationship between a mother and young daughter. And several of them even have horror movie vibes to them. And there's a reveal. And the reveal tells you absolutely nothing. It goes nowhere. There's no pay off to it - no reason we did all this. And every other scene in the book is just people talking about their lives, about how much japan has changed, but with really no emotional payoff to it. It's just bland as all hell. I loved Remains of the Day. Never Let Me Go is mediocre, but ok enough. Klara is like watching paint dry. I don't understand why this guy got the Nobel Prize over someone like Rushdie or McCarthy.

book reminds me a bit of Old Man and the Sea; how simple yet complex the story is. The mother living in a home alone in England is stuck in the middle of norms and liberation. Growing up, we are told she led a traditional, expected life of Japanese women. We are also shown the catastrophes of this life through the “nightmares” she relives. The relationship of Sachiko and Mariko are one in the same coin; the domino effect standard norms/arduous life have on the life of others (kittens used symbolically/ main underdogs to live in anguish).

Beautifully written, but I felt like it ended so abruptly and left me a bit empty. I guess I wanted more of an ending, I want to know what else happened, but that's what his books seem to do, leave you wanting more. I do love the way he writes, you can actually see and hear the characters in your head. I will read at least one more Ishiguro book...

I didn't love the book, but it was a great discussion for a book club.