From the bookshelf of Gather Yourselves Together…

When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro

Start date: October 1, 2009

Finish date: October 31, 2009

Discussion: October

Discussion leader: Walker

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October

October Discussion: When We Were Orphans
By Walker — 25 posts (25 new) — 22 views — last updated Nov 04, 2009 09:07AM

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Oct 07, 2009

Meg rated it:

Read in October, 2009

I have the sneaking suspicion that this book deserves more stars. I think I rated it lower because my brain is too tired for such a heavy read right now. Maybe I'll have to revisit it someday to confirm that...

Overall, I enjoyed it. The characters were unique, and the "orphan" theme (particularly the idea of people orphaned from their country or society) resonated well with me. I loved Christopher as a narrator, with his analytical and self-questioning style that so fit...more I have the sneaking suspicion that this book deserves more stars. I think I rated it lower because my brain is too tired for such a heavy read right now. Maybe I'll have to revisit it someday to confirm that...

Overall, I enjoyed it. The characters were unique, and the "orphan" theme (particularly the idea of people orphaned from their country or society) resonated well with me. I loved Christopher as a narrator, with his analytical and self-questioning style that so fit his "detective" persona. My heart ached a little at the void the loss of his parents played in his life and his frustrated (and at time frustratING) attempt to fill it. On top of that, I always love stories set in Europe of the 30s-40s... something about the way the great wars hang heavily over every word. Ishiguro is an amazing writer.

However, I found some plot points too coincidental--to the point of utter unbelievability. And almost every time I picked up the book to read I experienced that weird "did-I-just-pick-up-the-right-book-?" phenomenon. I couldn't remember or connect much with the plot for some reason, and found myself rifling back through the pages to fill in gaps.

AGHHH!!! My brain is melting... Time to read something exciting that requires no thought or effort whatsoever... Stephenie Meyer, anyone?

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"I know why they stop. I know why... Christopher. You not enough Englishman... It same for me... Mother and Father, they stop talk. Because I not enough Japanese." (Akira)

"It's true, out here, you're growing up with a lot of different sorts around you. Chinese, French, Germans, Americans, what have you. It'd be no wonder if you grew up a bit of a Mongrel... But that's no bad thing. You know what I think, Puffin? I think it would be no bad thing if boys like you ALL grew up with a bit of everything. We might all treat each other a good deal better then. Be less of these wars for one thing. Oh yes. Perhaps one day, all these conflicts will end, and it won't be because of great statesmen or churches or organisations like this one. It'll be because people have changed. They'll be like you, Puffin. More a mixture. So why not become a mongrel? It's healthy." (Uncle Phillip--I love his twisted character and how honest he is about it!)

During this fortnight I have been here, throughout all my dealings with these citizens, high or low, I have not witnessed--not once--anything that could pass for honest shame. Here, in other words, at the heart of the maelstrom threatening to suck in the whole of the civilised world, is a pathetic conspiracy of denial; a denial of responsibility which has turned in on itself and gone sour, manifesting itself in the sort of pompous defensiveness I have encountered so often. (So well captured! I get this feeling about society all the time... and about myself, of course.)

"All I know is that I've wasted all these years looking for something, a sort of trophy I'd get only if I really, really did enough to deserve it. But I don't want it any more, I want something else now, something warm and sheltering, something I can turn to, regardless of what I do, regardless of who I become. Something that will just be THERE, always, like tomorrow's sky." (Miss Sarah Hemmings--she describes me so well, I'm ashamed to admit)

The years seemed to melt away between us.

"Those were splendid days. We didn't know it then, of course, just how splendid they were. Children never do, I suppose." (Christopher)

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