Dec 2017: Never Let Me Go

[Reera, Bookmaster]

We still have a ways to go until December, but I wanted to make this thread in case people have already read our upcoming December pick, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and wanted to discuss it here in the forums.

I've already finished Never Let Me Go earlier this year and actually just got Remains of the Day from the library. I'll be sharing my personal thoughts on Ishiguro's writing later on, as we draw closer to the end of this month.

[Danielle]

NLMG is probably my favorite of his that I've read so far- it's very subtle genre, but I kind of love it for that.

[Nicola ✨]

I need to dig out my copy of this, I have a few of his books at home but haven't read them yet. Looking forward to it! :)

[Teresa]

YES! Brought two of Ishiguro's books after the Nobel Prize announcement. Books and Boba is an extra incentive for me to finish "Never Let Me Go"

[Marvin, Bobamaster]

Just finished... maaaaaaaan, will have THOUGHTS for the podcast this month.

Let us know what you thought/would like us to discuss on the podcast!

[Reera, Bookmaster]

Marvin wrote: "Just finished... maaaaaaaan, will have THOUGHTS for the podcast this month.

Let us know what you thought/would like us to discuss on the podcast!"

And now you can watch the movie on Netflix. :D

[Reera, Bookmaster]

I wanted to share Kazuo Ishiguro's Nobel Prize speech here. It brings so much insight into his diaspora experience, what shaped him as a writer, and why memory is a theme that he revisits in his novels. You get a better picture of how a novel like Never Let Me Go came to existence.

Link to transcript

Link to video

[Danielle]

One of the things I'm never sure about with NLMG is whether or not to tell people it's sci-fi when recommending it- it's my favorite Ishiguro that I've read so far, and I didn't realize it was genre until maybe halfway through the book.

[Nicola ✨]

Danielle wrote: "One of the things I'm never sure about with NLMG is whether or not to tell people it's sci-fi when recommending it- it's my favorite Ishiguro that I've read so far, and I didn't realize it was genr..."

I didn't realise it was either, I think it's more appealing because of that :)

[Nicola ✨]

Gonna have to give this one a miss as I'm swamped in work at the moment, but looking forward to the podcast either way!

[Reera, Bookmaster]

Marvin and I talked about the book in greater detail in our upcoming episode, but I wanted to share some of my general thoughts on Never Let Me Go here without giving too much away.

I loved reading this book, which was surprising because I usually have a hard time adjusting to first person narration. There was something so intimate and innocent about Kathy's narration. I loved how she would drift off to recall these innocuous memories that would subtly fit together into a big puzzle.

I know the most common criticism about this novel is that Kathy is too passive and detached as a protagonist. I actually appreciated her passivity because it is a flaw that is so human, which makes Kathy's fate all the more tragic. After all, what is more devastating than (view spoiler)[seeing the lives of people who don't realize what's being taken away from them or understand they deserve better to be so callously slaughtered (hide spoiler)]?

The book also does a great job challenging the reader to think about what it means to live life to the fullest. What does it take to live a "complete" life?

Kazuo Ishiguro says NLMG is his most uplifting novel, and I can see his reason for saying that. Despite all the dark events that happen in his story, I find that there is this optimistic message of how your life matters regardless of where you come from and how much the privileged majority dehumanizes you.

[Jen]

One of my absolute favorite books ever and the most beautiful title I've ever seen. Thank you for the podcast and your thoughts on the amazing revelation. I thought it was particularly key when you pointed out that it's a very Japanese sentiment to accept your fate, because I wondered why they didn't just run away. Definitely a story that stays with you...

[Jen]

Reera wrote: "Marvin and I talked about the book in greater detail in our upcoming episode, but I wanted to share some of my general thoughts on Never Let Me Go here without giving too much away.

I loved readin..."

All so true! I liked in the podcast when you reflected that many of the themes apply to anyone who is alive, not just the characters in the story and their difficult fate.

[Reera, Bookmaster]

Jen wrote: "One of my absolute favorite books ever and the most beautiful title I've ever seen. Thank you for the podcast and your thoughts on the amazing revelation. I thought it was particularly key when you..."

Aww, thank you! We're so glad that you enjoyed listening to the episode. I remember Marvin and I were worried about the length of our discussion because we talked about the book for over an hour.