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When We Were Orphans cover art

When We Were Orphans

By: Kazuo Ishiguro
Narrated by: Michael Maloney
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Summary

England, 1930s: Christopher Banks has become the country's most celebrated detective, his cases the talk of London society. Yet one unsolved crime has always haunted him: the mysterious disappearance of his parents, in old Shanghai, when he was a small boy.

Moving between London and Shanghai of the interwar years, When We Were Orphans is a remarkable story of memory, intrigue and the need to return.

©2014 Kazuo Ishiguro (P)2014 Faber & Faber

What listeners say about When We Were Orphans

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  • Overall
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Loved it

May not be everyone's cup of tea but I found the psychological characterisation fascinating. Good internal dialogue as opposed to superfluous unnecessary description of periphery characters, places or things, found in so many of today's writers. . Excellent narration. I'm sad to leave the atmosphere created in this novel.

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64 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully crafted and gripping.

Once again Kazuo Ishiguro unfolds the complex story - a sort of verbal origami. Michael Maloney gives a fittingly nuanced reading. The sort of book that I listen to in one go. Very highly recommended.

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51 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Hypnotic and alluring

What made the experience of listening to When We Were Orphans the most enjoyable?

The writing and narration are both excellent and give the characters reality. The narration of Uncle Phillip is particularly good and rather chilling - Puffin! It's an evocative story which builds slowly and builds in pace. I enjoyed it immensely and struggled to hold back the tears towards the climax.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Christopher for his genuine innocence. It is possible to see why he is as he is in adulthood from his childhood. His background makes him believable as an adult.Christopher's mother is also a haunting character. What I like about the characters in this book is how well they convey the era and surroundings in which they are set. Ishiguro doesn't need many descriptive passages because his characters paint the scenery for him. It's very well written and very much my type of book and story. The slow speed with which it unravels and gradually gains momentum is both fluid and hypnotic. I enjoyed it immensely and found myself wishing it were much longer as I neared the end.

What aspect of Michael Maloney’s performance might you have changed?

Nothing. He is excellent in all respects and gives just the right levels of depth and intonation.

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33 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

An interesting detailed well written read

I nearly gave up as the initial detail in the first few chapters were quite heavy going. However (similar to Dickens novels) the detail came together and the book then became exciting excellent listening.

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29 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding in every way.

One of the best books I have ever listened to. So many layers. Moved me to tears.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

But of a yawn of a book

Rather a struggle to finish and had it not been by such a renowned author I suspect I would have give up on it.
My main problem was the inability to empathize with any of the characters. Indeed the main character was not only difficult to like but was also exasperating coming across as having an 84 IQ .
Nope, not for me. Good writing does not always mean a good book

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21 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Ishiguro awesome as ever :)

Great narrator, beautifully poignant story. It will stay with me for a long time!
Ishiguro always captures the essence of 'Britishness' in his stories so effortlessly.

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20 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • C
  • 21-02-18

Tenuous and flimsy

Characters, their decisions, their relationships and the plot - all wafer thin. This book literally had me rolling my eyes as it got more and more improbable, the plot justifications and explanations becoming increasingly unlikely. There are only so many times you can ask a reader to come with you, take a leap of faith or turn a blind eye to artificial scenarios or obvious holes. This book unfortunately takes far too many liberties and so ultimately loses the reader somewhere on the way.

Strong reading performance.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really good book but ...

Any additional comments?

I am still listening to this, and really enjoying it, but 'end of Side 1, 2, 3 ...'?? Come on Audible, get it sorted.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Lost its way

Would you try another book written by Kazuo Ishiguro or narrated by Michael Maloney?

Yes I would listen to another probably Remains of the Day. I thought this book started well and was intriguing then it seemed to lose its way and get rather silly at times

What will your next listen be?

I haven't decided yet

Have you listened to any of Michael Maloney’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Possibly

Any additional comments?

I found this book rather disappointing

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8 people found this helpful