Thursday, June 12, 2008

Never let me go - Kazuo Ishiguro

Imagine sitting besides a pond still and deep, nestled in the middle of a tranquil landscape, with a gentle wind to give you company - this is almost what i felt when i was reading 'Never let me go' by Kazuo Ishiguro. The novel was more of a poem than a novel. The style so subtle and masterful, that it overpowers the substance at many places.

When you travel with students of Hailsham from the innocent dorm days to their last days, you get a feeling of an urge to explode, to run down the street screaming, to reclaim the personal life from what is to what it could have been. The novel is simple and deceptively sad, and a journey from hopelessness to more hopelessness...and when you encounter the breaking point at last, you feel an emptiness... an emotion which cant be described using words...

the relation between Kath, Tommy and Ruth is strong and deep and the effect of it in the story is like a tide, which strikes you with full force when Ruth passes away... the mental agony each one goes through, the state numbness which tides over Kath when she have to do anything but break the silence... I am at loss of words...

The book is not about science, it is not a science fiction... it merely uses a concept to weave an intricate story - a story so beautifully intricate that the concept (or medium? ) on which the story is build is reduced to nothing but a spectator...

Man, I fail so miserably when I try to describe this work. I should have known my limitations before I set out to write a review to this fantastic piece of novel with an intriguing poetic beauty.

Go and read this book if you are in mood for something stirring, something pulling the strings of your heart... and don’t try to analyze this book with reason or science - that will be the worst thing you can do to this work of art. Not recommended for time pass reading or perk up reading... it may even bog down you mood a bit...

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reminds me of the classic 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'. Very gloomy and dark. It's a 19th century classic where an impoverished girl is exploited by her own cousin and is looking for help and for love. When she finds the one she can truly love he leaves her because she was used by another man...very depressing actually!

Priya said...

Seems to be interesting Xh. Will keep in mind for sure.

Bungz said...

I'm intrigued... But, i am NOT buying this book till i finish the others that are already waiting to be read...

Jaya said...

When I was reading "Witch of Protebollo", though I liked it, it stirred my mind and I felt so restless that I did not finish the book. I am currently reading "Miracle in Seepdy Motors" by Alexander McCall Smith. If you get a chance, do checkout his books. They are light and not too heavy philosophical but he does talks about ethics and likes. I'll lookout for NLMG.

Macadamia The Nut said...

Uh oh! I shall save this for when I'm in a better frame of mind :D

gypsy said...

hmmmm...well...noted... :)

Anonymous said...

really?? what do u mean...it will bog u down.i think i have to read this... thanx for the heads up

Unknown said...

Oh, I love Kazuo Ishiguro! I've never read a style like his. He's just a different guy altogether, completely apart from all other authors that I've read. You're right when you say that the book is more of a poem than a novel. There are few who can put sadness so beautifully in words and Ishiguro does it.
I recently got it as a gift on my birthday and the guy later apologised saying that he didn't know it was such a sad book but even so, I didn't mind. It's one of the best books to possess. :-)

Adicrazy said...

Hey there! I clicked on your link thru some blog when I read the topic "Never let me go"

I am in love with this book and the author. Currently I am reading "Remains of the Day" by him, but by far "never let me go" is the best. It stirs you from inside and when I read it I was so moved by the intensity of it - the relationships, the insecurity, the longing and the curiosity.

Great post man, and you've done justice to it and it is good that you picked it up as a subject here.

Blog on!

Anonymous said...

Though looking at my current speed of reading, I should not but I have noted it down in my 'to be read' list.

--xh-- said...

@tia: havnt read it, but it sure seems depressing...
@priya: :)
@bungi: whn u finish the books, give this a try...
@joy: i almost picked Miracle in Seepdy Motors, but then decided against it...will pick that one one of these days...
@MtNut: :)
@d_s: :)
@vishi: bro, read this... i am not able ot express it in my words...
@drenched: yup, agreed. it is one of the books one want to buy,read and keep... :)
@adi crazy: :) thatz nice to know... keep visiting. 'Remains of teh day' is next in my list, plan to pick up otehr books by him one fo these days... the beauty of the book is that, we feel the intesity without ever realising it... thnx for the words :)
@cuckoo: :) try it whn u finish the current ones...

Unknown said...

Love the cover illustration and i known known to pic a boook judging it's cover.. :P

Shall add it to my reading list! :D

Cheers!

Meghna said...

Hi BRo,
Wow...the way u wrote...it looks as if u are really touched..and..ummm...emotional??
Gr8...haven't often seen that phase of u!
I haven't hrd of this book but if I can lay hands on it..I'l read it soon :P

ceedy said...

Thanks again...will try and check it out at the store....

Prats said...

and now I went and got myself this, just as you said I should :)
It better stir me well...cos I feel as if i'm in limbo right now... :(

M said...

hey what a timing ...
i am reading that now !:)
yup u bet its great :)am sure it ll be surely a great one till the end !:)

Emaan said...

uv been tagged

Preeti said...

Gonna read :)

Anonymous said...

hmm... this will b ein my "books to read "
:)

Smiling Sinh said...

I ll buy this one soon. Next time if i go to bookstore!