Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro is the kind of book with a central twist so fundamental that it really shouldn’t be talked about in a review. Of course, not everyone adheres to this rule – so I ended up finding it out prior to reading the book. And even then, I found this novel to be amazing. Truly a phenomenal piece of writing.

Never Let Me Go takes place, the story informs us on the title page, in England in the late 1990’s. It’s easy to forget that as you read, since some of the things going on seem very much a part of a distant future. This isn’t just the obvious things (again, the twist I won’t disclose) but the tone of the novel and the setting make it seem an idyllic, almost Utopian future – with a haunting sadness that develops throughout the book.

Kathy H. is an adult “carer” and a graduate from a school called Hailsham in the English countryside. She tells her story of going to Hailsham, and her relationship with her peers and instructors (“guardians”), and gradually the reader is let into the twist of the book, which is revealed slowly and then in a matter-of-fact way that a skimming reader might actually miss. We learn that in the more recent past (she left Hailsham over eleven years prior) she has reconnected with Ruth and Tommy D., two classmates she was particularly close with.

There is a constant feeling of heartache for these characters, even if they understand their fate and the role they will play in the bigger picture. And this was the first book I’d ever read by Ishiguro, though I’m certainly going to tackle Remains of the Day now. His writing is truly impressive – in many ways simple and direct, but we always know there is a larger picture we are slowly being able to see. And while the story leaves many questions unanswered, it is perhaps best that way as some are the kind of philosophical questions we should continue to ask ourselves about faith and science and what it means to have a soul.

So here’s the thing – it’s entirely difficult to talk about this book without getting into the twist. But I will just reiterate that it does not make this any less of an enjoyable experience to read. It’s a fascinating book that reads incredibly quickly, and it’s recommended across the board.

Rating: 9.0/10.0