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The Buried Giant (Vintage International)
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and author of Never Let Me Go and the Booker Prize–winning novel The Remains of the Day comes a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory.
In post-Arthurian Britain, the wars that once raged between the Saxons and the Britons have finally ceased. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly British couple, set off to visit their son, whom they haven't seen in years. And, because a strange mist has caused mass amnesia throughout the land, they can scarcely remember anything about him. As they are joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and an illustrious knight, Axl and Beatrice slowly begin to remember the dark and troubled past they all share.
By turns savage, suspenseful, and intensely moving, The Buried Giant is a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory.
In post-Arthurian Britain, the wars that once raged between the Saxons and the Britons have finally ceased. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly British couple, set off to visit their son, whom they haven't seen in years. And, because a strange mist has caused mass amnesia throughout the land, they can scarcely remember anything about him. As they are joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and an illustrious knight, Axl and Beatrice slowly begin to remember the dark and troubled past they all share.
By turns savage, suspenseful, and intensely moving, The Buried Giant is a luminous meditation on the act of forgetting and the power of memory.
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Community Reviews
thenextgoodbook.com
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
317 pages
What’s it about?
This story takes place not long after the rule of King Arthur. It is a fable that follows an elderly couple as they go off on a journey to find their son.
What did I think?
This was a slow paced story that kept me reading. I had a few times in the middle of the book that I thought it was a little too slow... The premise of the book was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. I very much wanted to know what point the author was making with this story. In the end it was an interesting, thought provoking book. Kazuo Ishiguro is a master storyteller. Every book I read by this author is different than the previous one, and each book leads me to think about difficult questions.
Should you read it?
This tale is about forgetting, the power of memory, and love. Can any couple survive over the years without letting go of memories? On a larger scale, what role in war does the act of memory play? If you like ideas, then this fable will resonate with you. Be warned- it is more thought provoking than entertaining.
Quote-
“ ‘But Axl, we can’t even remember those days. Or any of the years between. We don’t remember our fierce quarrels or the small moments we enjoyed and treasured. We don’t remember our son or why he’s away from us.’
‘We can make all those memories come back princess. Besides the feeling in my heart for you will be there just the same, no matter what I remember or forget. Don’t you feel the same princess?’
‘I do, Axl. But then again I wonder if what we feel in our hearts today isn’t like these raindrops still falling on us from the soaked leaves above, even thought the sky itself long stopped raining. I’m wondering if without our memories, there’s nothing for it but for our love to fade and die.’ “
If you like this try-
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
317 pages
What’s it about?
This story takes place not long after the rule of King Arthur. It is a fable that follows an elderly couple as they go off on a journey to find their son.
What did I think?
This was a slow paced story that kept me reading. I had a few times in the middle of the book that I thought it was a little too slow... The premise of the book was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. I very much wanted to know what point the author was making with this story. In the end it was an interesting, thought provoking book. Kazuo Ishiguro is a master storyteller. Every book I read by this author is different than the previous one, and each book leads me to think about difficult questions.
Should you read it?
This tale is about forgetting, the power of memory, and love. Can any couple survive over the years without letting go of memories? On a larger scale, what role in war does the act of memory play? If you like ideas, then this fable will resonate with you. Be warned- it is more thought provoking than entertaining.
Quote-
“ ‘But Axl, we can’t even remember those days. Or any of the years between. We don’t remember our fierce quarrels or the small moments we enjoyed and treasured. We don’t remember our son or why he’s away from us.’
‘We can make all those memories come back princess. Besides the feeling in my heart for you will be there just the same, no matter what I remember or forget. Don’t you feel the same princess?’
‘I do, Axl. But then again I wonder if what we feel in our hearts today isn’t like these raindrops still falling on us from the soaked leaves above, even thought the sky itself long stopped raining. I’m wondering if without our memories, there’s nothing for it but for our love to fade and die.’ “
If you like this try-
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
that was so confusing and kinda boring in the middle and just when i finally got into it it ended?? hmmm idk how to feel about this book… i thought i would love it based on the description but i didn’t
Too long. Too much “Husband this” and “Princess that”. At times it was good, but it could’ve used a really strong editor.
This story reads like an epic of olde. A little hard to follow, but incredibly satisfying in the end. I'd seriously recommend this if you like fairy tales.
I listened to an interview with Kazuo Ishiguro on the Adam Buxton podcast and this made me want I read some of his books. The Buried Giant is unlike anything I have read before. It was beautiful and thought-provoking with layers of sadness and social commentary. Yes, there are ogres and pixies and dragons, but as people have already commented, this is not really a tale of fantasy. It is a tale of people and the human condition. Ishiguro’s writing style reminded me a little of Ken Follett and I liked it a lot. The ending was especially powerful and emotive.
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