Please let’s not spoil anything from his books if someone who hasn’t read them reads this post.
I have read The remains of the day, Never let me go, and Klara & the sun. I’m currently halfway through The buried giant, and I’ve come to realize that Ishiguro is an absolute master of writing. At least for me, he provides just enough information about the world around the characters that it’s easy for me to picture the scene in my head.
His style also flows like a river. I’m a slow reader but I’ve suddenly read 50+ pages in one sitting, it seems like a heartbeat for me.
There is also something extremely tender about his characters. Everyone seems like they have a full lifetime of memories, even if the character is in the book for only a chapter or two.
Would recommend Ishiguro to a friend or relative.
by Socket_forker
19 Comments
If I had to describe reading his work…..it’s like a track that has only very mild upslopes that don’t last for long. I found his style interesting in the way that he weaves his story in the mundane daily things, but there never seems to sort of be a peak in his writing style, it just seems like a slow burn that keeps on but never really bursts into a giant conflagration at some point , like you’d expect.
That being said I read 2 books, Never Let Me Go, and is this man good at stringing you on.
That’s his main skill I’d say. It’s not like the next Netflix episode you have to watch but if you don’t finish it, it’s like Kylie Minogue song in your head.
Klara and the Sun…..I enjoyed that. Tough ending, but I thought that was a better book.
You don’t win Nobel Prizes in Literature for nothing.
He is an absolute master. Such beautiful writing. My gosh, he deserved that Nobel prize!
I couldn’t finish The Remains, found it boring (it was me, not the book, I know), but NLMG and Klara left me in tears. I am a book cryer anyway.
I just finished Klara and the Sun and one of the most refreshing things about that was that he didn’t feel the need to explain every concept or bit about the world – you could piece it together (and some of it you never get a full idea of what’s going on, but you just don’t need to). Lesser books would have had a “here’s how we got here” exposition dump at some point. The Buried Giant was similar as I remember, though it’s been a couple of years since I read that one.
Ishiguro is a master of show, don’t tell. Absolutely beautiful writer. His books put me in a trance and it’s a shame to finish them at times. Remains of the Day is my favourite and I thought Klara was too similar to Never Let Me Go but other than that, all great.
he has a real talent for sneaking really huge fundamental conversations into very easy to read stories. remains of the day is one of the most remarkable things i’ve ever read, and it’s not even my favourite of his.
I didn’t get the appeal of Buried Giant. The writing style for me, left me with the impression of a stale, grey world. Which I think is what the author might actually be aiming for. But, it’s the kind that… it’s just bleak, but not that engaging, I guess(?). I’m making comparisons here alright, but 1Q84 was beautiful, but it was a slog! Buried Giant, at my first and last reading felt like 1Q84, but not that beautiful, if that makes sense. In line with this, I need to read Buried Giant again! Also, his other books. I heard he just published a banger and I’m looking forward to it.
Spot on! I wholeheartedly agree
He’s one of my absolute favorite authors and I always describe him as a master of subtlety.
I read through all his works last year, recommend them all except the unconsoled, which is very frustrating, ended up loving A pale view of the hills and Nocturnes, his short story collection
I’ve only read Never Let Me Go. I don’t think I’ll read anything else. Just didn’t do anything for me.
Maybe his other work is better, but I read Never Let Me Go and never wanted to touch any of his books again.
It’s not the writing *style*. I agree, his writing is beautiful, the scenes are amazing. It’s the actual *story* I really don’t care for.
Personally, I hated the plot of Never Let Me Go. It just left me feeling annoyed with all the characters, annoyed with everything about it, actually. To me, it’s a pointless story. I’m sure it’s supposed to tug at my heartstrings a la *Terms of Endearment* but it really didn’t. I didn’t care. It was boring and predictable, and the ending made me roll my eyes. Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to make me feel, and that’s why it’s such a good story, I don’t know. All I know is it put me off his books and I haven’t picked one up since.
I agree! Ishiguro does a fantastic job at leaving the most vivid visual impressions in my head like no other author can.
This post has me intrigued. As someone who’s never read any of his books, where’s the best place to start?
Totally agree. can someone recommend a similar writer? I’ve read most of his books and am eager to find something as engaging and beautiful as his books are.
I was introduced to him via Artist of the Floating World. Damn such a powerful book. Really enjoyed his style of weaving memories into present moments.
Never let me go felt like such a different book with the sci-fi element. I was going to read Nocturnes next but I think this thread has me wanting to read Remains of the Day next.
One of the things I’ve appreciated about him is that he adapts his style to the story he’s writing. Each book both feels like an Ishiguro book, and also entirely its own thing.
I really agree with this. I’m reading Klara and the Sun now, and he seriously has such a way with words that it flows like a river and you can imagine the scenes in your head. He doesn’t complicate things for no reason but he builds the picture with just the right amount of detail without making one lose focus. I will definitely read more of him! I was tired and wanted to sleep but couldn’t put the book down.