The Remains of the Day: Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature
BOOKER PRIZE WINNER • From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, here is “an intricate and dazzling novel” (The New York Times) about the perfect butler and his fading, insular world in post-World War II England.
This is Kazuo Ishiguro's profoundly compelling portrait of a butler named Stevens. Stevens, at the end of three decades of service at Darlington Hall, spending a day on a country drive, embarks as well on a journey through the past in an effort to reassure himself that he has served humanity by serving the "great gentleman," Lord Darlington. But lurking in his memory are doubts about the true nature of Lord Darlington's "greatness," and much graver doubts about the nature of his own life.
This is Kazuo Ishiguro's profoundly compelling portrait of a butler named Stevens. Stevens, at the end of three decades of service at Darlington Hall, spending a day on a country drive, embarks as well on a journey through the past in an effort to reassure himself that he has served humanity by serving the "great gentleman," Lord Darlington. But lurking in his memory are doubts about the true nature of Lord Darlington's "greatness," and much graver doubts about the nature of his own life.
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Readers say *The Remains of the Day* is a beautifully written, subtly reflective novel praised for Ishiguro’s elegant prose and vivid portrayal of a b...
It may just be my current frame of mind, but the ending of this book just ripped my heart out. This is a beautifully written novel about a man realizing too late that he has neglected to live his life. The descriptions of the English countryside and his reminiscences do lead him beyond his regrets and to a desire and possibility to live a larger life.
“It is my impression that our generation was the first to recognize something which had passed the notice of all earlier generations: namely that the great decisions of the world are not, in fact, arrived at simply in the public chambers, or else during a handful of days given over to an international conference under the full gaze of the public and press. Rather, debates are conducted, and crucial decisions arrived at, in the privacy and calm of the great houses of this country.”
Great thoughtful story about looking back at one's past. Full review on the site.
thenextgoodbook.com
Great thoughtful story about looking back at one's past. Full review on the site.
thenextgoodbook.com
Sometimes, it’s the simplest of stories that have the most profound impact.
An English butler takes a road trip and ruminates about his past decisions. Sounds boring, right?
But, no. I was captivated by Stevens narrative from the first page. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes this story so engrossing. Maybe it’s the detached, proper English Stevens uses to narrate his life, even when describing the death of his father. Perhaps it’s the Hemingway-style prose that has way more depth than what’s on the surface.
Whatever it is about this book, it works.
An English butler takes a road trip and ruminates about his past decisions. Sounds boring, right?
But, no. I was captivated by Stevens narrative from the first page. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes this story so engrossing. Maybe it’s the detached, proper English Stevens uses to narrate his life, even when describing the death of his father. Perhaps it’s the Hemingway-style prose that has way more depth than what’s on the surface.
Whatever it is about this book, it works.
Did not expect myself to be so affected by this book. 😭 Elegantly done. Brilliant work by Sir Kazuo Ishiguro.
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