Kazuo Ishiguro: A Synopsis

Kazuo Ishiguro.

One of the most critically acclaimed authors in contemporary fiction, Kazuo Ishiguro was nominated for the Booker Prize four times (won in 1989), as well as being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (for Living), and many others. In 2017, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature, in which they described him as “who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.” Born in Japan in 1954, his family moved to England shortly thereafter. This transition had a heavy impact on his writing, notably seen in his first works A Pale View of Hills and An Artist of the Floating World, both of which explore Japanese identity. He has since gone on to dabble in multiple genres, such as science fiction, and exploring several themes. His 1989 novel The Remains of the Day achieved wide success, being the recipient of the Booker Prize.

The Remains of the Day is set in England, following the loyal butler Stevens. At the start of the novel, Stevens is encouraged by his new employer Mr. Farraday to go on a vacation, which he accepts. He decides to go visit Miss Kenton, a former (now married) colleague. It’s on this trip that Stevens reflects on his time at his former workplace, Darlington Hall, and his memories. He dedicated his life to serving Lord Darlington, who had recently passed away. Eventually, this narrative reveals two central ideas. (Don't read for spoilers) One is that Lord Darlington was a Nazi sympathizer, and the other is that Stevens is in love with the housekeeper Miss Kenton. By the end of the novel, he is left pondering on lost opportunities regarding both his unquestioning service to his former employer and his feelings for Miss Kenton, but after a discussion with a stranger, decides to focus on the “remains of the day”. 

Ishiguro has a reserved style of writing, one that is inlaid with precise prose and poignant dialogue. The books I’ve read (The Remains of the Day, A Pale View of Hills, Never Let Me Go, The Buried Giant, Nocturnes) were all characteristically subtle but incredibly clear in their words. I’ve always enjoyed meandering stories, like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. If you prefer

action and novelty, his books might not be the best fit. However, it never hurts to try a new genre. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I got my copy at Goodwill when I was ten. I’ve probably read it over fifteen times since then. The protagonist is Francie Nolan, and the story follows her life as she grows up in the early 20th century. Themes of poverty, identity, and family are shown through her eyes. It's one of my all-time favorites.

The success of his writing can be seen in the film adaptations of several of his books. Both The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go have been adapted. The latter, Never Let Me Go, is in the science fiction category. It follows the carer, Kathy, as she reminisces about her past and former friends. Particularly, she thinks back on her time at Hailsham, an elite boarding school. As the narrative progresses, Ishiguro reveals a chilling realization regarding Kathy and the Hailsham students. I liked how he portrayed the characters' quiet devastation, and how humanized they were in their response to their fate. Its 2010 adaptation starring Andrew Garfield, Carey Mulligan, and Keira Knightley has earned mostly positive reviews. For those I’ve talked to, The Remains of the Day isn’t a story with much going on, so Never Let Me Go might be an easier transition into Ishiguro’s works (though the former is amazing). In addition to Never Let Me Go, Ishiguro’s work The Buried Giant drifts away from his usual genre (it's fantasy). It takes place in post-Arthurian England, where an elderly couple (Axl and Beatrice) are the protagonists. I enjoyed it a lot, and I found myself laughing at a couple of passages. 

I think out of all the books I read, I laughed while reading Nocturnes the most. Most of his novels are meticulously written, and his tone and diction aren’t as colorful as some other authors I read. However, his style of writing fits perfectly with his messages and techniques (at least I think so). Nocturnes is a collection of short stories, and from my memory, each one was vividly written. Each story focuses on musicians and music, and a couple of them are pretty comical. It was funnier because I read it in my human anatomy class during a lecture. If you enjoy short stories, I would definitely check out Nocturnes.

Some of the criticism I’ve heard regarding Ishiguro’s writing is that it feels empty and bland. Or that the story is confusing and stilted. But it’s for these reasons that I enjoy reading his books. His books aren’t what you want to read for prose. Instead, Ishiguro focuses on the mundane and simple moments and makes them incredibly complex and layered. In his novels, you’re able to be completely immersed in the narrator’s mind, and his sentences are quiet but profound. The readers must pick up the pieces that Ishiguro drops in order to create the bigger picture.

Although many people consider The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go as his best works, A Pale View of Hills and The Buried Giant were the most impactful for me. I still need to read his other novels, but I’m currently on An Artist of the Floating World. Anyhow, I would encourage you to try reading some of his books, because it might just be a transformative experience.