The Bittersweet Beauty of The Remains of the Day

#kazuoishiguro #books #fiction

[RianFloyd]

This may be the best commentary and thematic discussion about The Remains of the Day that I’ve ever heard. Your love of this book certainly shows, and I absolutely share it. It is a masterpiece. Ishiguro is a master of subtlety and of the unspoken, as you mentioned. There is so much in this book to unpack. I will probably re-read this one eventually, too.

I watched the film adaptation last year for the first time. The performances were stunning, the encouragement of the emptiness and the unspoken to be perceived and felt by the viewer… it was all there. But I felt there was also something missing, and I think it boils down to the differences in the ways stories can be told and retold through narration in a novel vs film. There is a larger gap between the viewer and the character of Stevens when you are watching the film, but with the book that gap is closed considerably, and it creates this odd effect where you feel so distant from the character because he’s so odd and displaced, but also you’re right there in his headspace and can’t help but feel connected to him and to feel sympathy for him. I don’t think this phenomenon can be captured in the same way with film, although they did a damn good job trying. To be fair, I’d watch Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson in anything.

Thanks for sharing your insight about books you’re passionate about and consider important, rather than simply following the trends. Your love for literature is contagious, and that’s a good thing for the world right now.

[JoeRobson]

My favourite "unreliable narrator" moments are when Stevens describes how he would be talking to someone and they'd offer him a tissue or ask him if he was alright.

[Tristan-L-Space-Books]

I deeply appreciate your articulation of all of these complex and powerful themes in this book. When I read it, I definitely felt everything you talked about, but I had a hard time connecting my feelings to my words. You definitely helped me make sense of everything going on in my head about this book.

[PsychOnlineAldrian]

It sounded so boring when I first picked it up over a decade ago. Changed the way I think of stories. It still haunts me. 🎉🎉

[belhypotheque]

Thank you. I’ve only read ‘Klara and the Sun’ as well by this author but I find Steven’s and the AI friend’s voice strangely similar.

[chrissy]

Ok, so you’ve just helped me decide what to read when I finish Clytemnestra. The movie made me cry, so the book will probably break my heart a little bit. Thank you for another wonderful video!

[madisonbasinger]

I’m so glad you reviewed this! Remains of the Day is my favorite book!

[sophiealka]

I was never really interested in Remains of the Day, but I read Klara and the Sun and liked it. I think you've sold me though. Also I like your springtime blouse!

[geshtin]

It is a masterpiece. I read if first in the late '90s as a teen. And I've read it every 4-5 years since so that's like 5 or 6 times in total by now. I don't know why I'm compelled to re-read it even though I practically know it by heart at this point. But Ishiguro just writes in such a way that it's impossible to put down once I start.

[Readatrix]

I just began, and I can tell it's going to break my heart.

You're young and I imagine during a future read the themes of watching a time and place slip away will hit your harder. How the tenets you were raised with are meaningless. And a lot of times that's for the good, but it's also jarring. Where do you fit in when you don't fit in but still have a chunk of life presumably ahead?

[martinelanglois]

I have never read Ishiguro's books (or seen movie adaptations of them) but I'm very curious now. Thanks! ❤

[Christine-jgch]

I loved this book and your review has made me want to reread it (which I almost never do). I might even watch the film as well 😊

[ThePortjumper]

I'm currently reading When We Were Orphans after reading The Remains of the Day I was hooked on Ishiguro. Prior to that, I'd read The Buried Giant and Never Let Me Go. I enjoyed the latter but loathed the former. I thought Ishiguro was a good writer but not incredible. The Remains of The Day changed my mind completely; one of the best first person narratives I've ever read. Stevens is a special character.

[TKTalksBooks]

I love your channel. I never miss a video! Thank you so much. ☺️

[Hinto]

One of my favourite reads of the last 5 years.

To me it felt like it was about being British in the shadow of British empire. The source of all these grand, antiquated, and long irrelevant ideas. And the horror of learning what was done in support of those ideas. Loved the book even more than never let me go. I wonder what would stick out on a second read.

[elenaortiz]

What a brilliant review!!! Of course I'm biased as Kazuo Ishiguro is also one of my favorite writers. I completely agree that this book is a masterpiece. I've enjoyed so much your thoughts on it. Thank you for your wonderful videos!!! 💜😊

[jstamps]

Lovely reverence in your review after your third reading of this great book by this incredible treasure of a writer.

[PinkysStudio]

I've been watching a lot of book reviews over the last few weeks and yours are by far my favourite ! I'd never read any Kazuo Ishiguro before but have just read An Artist of the Floating world because of your videos on it and I loved it. The remains of the day and A pale view of hills are next on my list! I love that you have so many videos on Japanese authors, I'm just curious to know whether you've read or are intending to read 'Sweet Bean Paste' by Durian Sukegawa ? It's one of my favourites I've read this year. Apologies if you've already reviewed that one and I just haven’t seen it... 😊

[estefaniamg]

Willow, I love your reviews! The remains of the day is one of my favorites!

[francoisbouchart]

Love Ishiguro’s books and the Remains of the Day movie is great. I need to pick up this book. Thanks for the review. Cheers.