Grim reading, completely unexpected

For readers of Kazuo Ishiguro's other books, this will come as another surprise. While Remains of the Day is a period drama, and the Buried Giant is folklore, this novel reads as a dystopian fiction. What this shows is the author's incredible versatility at writing different themes, each as good as the other.

The story follows Kathy H., a carer to dying patients, and her mysterious upbringing alongside her charges at a secluded boarding school. From the beginning, we are introduced to the concept of 'donors', and it only becomes apparent after some time what it truly means. As a child, her and her fellow classmates were urged to be overly health-concious with a special focus on artwork, which is said to be taken away to a gallery if exceptional. But when the students begin to question about its necessity, they understand that not all is what it seems.

From cloning to transplants, this book is both daring and alarming - and perhaps one of my favourite Ishiguro novels so far.

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2 people found this helpful

speechless

I feel speechless. This was such a riveting story, beautifully written and performed. I feel pain and anger and all together I am moved by this book so much. I remember watching the movie when I was younger and not understanding a thing. Looking forward to rewatching it now. I hope it lives up to my immense expectations.

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The narrator has a lisp

I will have to return this book as the narrator has a slight lisp that is very annoying to listen to. Can't judge the story at all.

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i cried

a beautiful story overall. if u like to be sad u will like this. the posh school voices were a little offputting considering the subject matter.

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Beautiful

An amazing book by a talented author. Never Let Me Go has such a gripping story and complex but easy to read character profiles.

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Bittersweet Tale of Mystery

When the story behind, you really are thrown into the middle of a situation and scenario that is full of unfamiliar phrases and actions. Going completely blind into this as I did, I was there for the ride - finding out why the children were at the school, what the strange education was for, what they were being prepared for.
It's really a fascinating and well-observed character study with an alternate history background. A warning tale also. Very good!

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Interesting premise.

An interesting premise. Other than that though I wouldn't say there was much else that gripped me.

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Enthralling Story

What a fabulous listen. I found it captivating from start to finish. It is one of those special books I will go back to.

Kerry Fox told the story beautifully. I have not heard her narrate before, but I will certainly look out for her in the future.

I have not read any books by this author before, but my next listen will likely be one of his.

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Dreary, dystopian story

What a disappointment. I slogged my way through to the end of this dreary, shallow, dystopian story in the hope that something might happen and there might be some depth on the horizon. To no avail, unfortunately…..

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Intriguing story

Complex and disturbing. If you can live with not having a story and characters put on a plate for you, give this a try.

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