The Remains of the Day - Section 1 - Beginning Through Salisbury Day 1

[Tamara]

Please discuss The Remains of the Day from the beginning through the end of Salisbury Day 1. Please place spoilers under a cut.

[Cat]

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading what everyone else has to say about it. I read it a few years ago. I love Ishiguro. If you enjoy this, try Never Let Me Go.

[Jay]

Well, I'm only just starting the book (pg 12), and what a change in style from Horses! From one of the most informal I've read to one of the most formal...amazing how many different ways the english language can be used.

[Irene]

I read this one a few months ago. I was disappointed after having fallen in love with "Never Let Me Go". I wonder if some of my problem is my lack of any contact with the world of the characters. I simply could not get under the skin of the narrater; he remained so aloof that he was an inigma to me.

[Rick]

The earlier Ishiguro that works even better as a work of comparison/contrast is An Artist of the Floating World. The theme of taking responsibility for political ideology that is really over one's head is integral to that earlier novel; however, it is resolved much more happily there than it is in Remains of the Day.

[Kamil]

The writing is splendid. It's a pleasure to see the beautifully crafted sentences. The story however hasn't grabbed me yet, even though I generally like slow moving plot this time I catch myself, from time to time, being on the edge of boredom.

I enjoy first person narrative, and find it interesting to see conflicted sites of Stevens, even though it's him who tells his version of events. Stream of consciousness narrative makes me look through and between the lines of the story to see what the narrator might had been unable to see. While reading I try to remember that every character apart form Stevens is introduced to me by him, therefore affected by his subjectivity.

Another thing I'm intrigued about is that although I'm not far in, but I would guess that the idea that he was so faithful to, idea of becoming great butler has damage him somehow and his relationship with Miss Kenton. Cannot wait to see the interaction with her, the closure. The story became a bit more vivid when her character was introduced.

[Irene]

I felt the same way when I read this, skillful writing but a story that failed to engage me. I have heard that this is a bit of an allegory of England during this same period, that Stevens mirrors his society. But, I do not have enough knowledge of English culture early to mid-century to assess this claim.

Stevens gave me the impression of serving in a role that was almost monastic, that did not allow for a personal life. But, his father was a butler in a wealthy estate and managed to have a marriage and family, even if he did not fulfill those roles well.

[Darcy]

Kamil, I agree with you--this is a quiet book that verges on boring for me, as well. I suspect that's mostly because Ishiguro's trying to make an interesting novel out of a quite frankly boring character who tends towards repetition and monologue. Stevens has the opportunity to think about some of the political and social intricacies behind the "Great War," and instead decides to discuss the finer points of silver polish. I get that this is Ishiguro's point, but I end up feeling extremely frustrated not that Stevens refuses to take responsibility for the decisions he's made in the past, but that he hides from those decisions behind an ideology of service.

I'm curious, Rick, about your point that this is a book about not understanding political ideology. I think you're right, as far as Lord Darlington is concerned. The American ambassador calls him an amateur, and he is--Darlington doesn't fully realize the implications of fascism in any sense. But I'm not so sure about Stevens. It seems to me that Stevens does not even try to understand those implications--engaging in that way is simply a non-starter for him. Hence all the evasions into discussions of silver polish and dignity. What Stevens can't seem to understand, interestingly, is the political ideology that keeps him thinking like a servant rather than his own master.

[Tamara]

Alright kids, it seems some of the comments above were referring to parts of the book after the stopping point so I have non idea what they're referring to. But, at this point, I agree with Kamil that this book is starting off slowly but I do see it going somewhere. I mean. It's a book about a trip! Love the contrast between Stevens' old English ways and the new American ways if his employer. I kept thinking to myself whole reading this, "thank goodness for Downton Abbey or I'd have no idea what these jobs are!" Looking forward to reading more!

[Ashley]

I started this the other day and so far I'm not really enjoying it. I can't stand Stevens and his narrative is driving me nuts. I hope he starts to live a little.

I was really thinking I would enjoy this book more because I love Downton Abbey so much.

[Kamil]

Tamara wrote: "Alright kids, it seems some of the comments above were referring to parts of the book after the stopping point so I have non idea what they're referring to. But, at this point, I agree with Kamil t..."

Ashley wrote: "I started this the other day and so far I'm not really enjoying it. I can't stand Stevens and his narrative is driving me nuts. I hope he starts to live a little.

I was really thinking I would enj..."

Guys, it's going to get better. I found it boring at the beginning, so don't be discourage by that. I haven't seen Downton Abbey so I cannot tell close it is, but I would imagine "The Remains" making pretty bad series so I guess apart form the era its set in there's not much in common.

[Laurie]

I've just joined and was compelled to re-read this book, which is one of my all-time favourites, so there's my bias out on the table.

I can see how the early part of the book could seem boring. It seems that Stevens has a limited imagination and an obsession with small detail, and that's true. But Ishiguro is starting on a very measured and deliberate character development - we learn the important things about our narrator in increments, and often by reading between the lines.

One thing I am struck by on reading this again is the constant repetition of certain words. "Witticism", for example - he never calls it a joke or a quip. Others are "banter", "dignity", and "great". Ishiguro is giving us some early clues to Stevens' preoccupations, but I think is also developing the character here. I think he is telling us that Stevens is meticulous, diligent, precise. When he arrives at the correct word to use for a certain concept, he does not deviate from it.

Anyway, some early thoughts. I hope this book wins you guys over!