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Jim Fonseca's Reviews > Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go
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I had this book on my TBR shelf for years without realizing that it was essentially dystopian science fiction.
The main character is a woman in her early thirties reflecting back on her life as a child at a private school in England. Kids in the school grew up in an isolated but almost idyllic setting; not knowing their parents but realizing somehow they were “special.” After finishing school they live together in small groups in cottages before heading out into the world on their own. The story is set in the late 1990s.
From the very first page we learn something is not right just from the language. We read that they have become “carers” and “donors;” their teachers are called “guardians” and they know there are people out there called their “possible.” We also learn they can have sex but are incapable of having children and that after their third of fourth “donation” they have “completed.” So we catch on pretty quickly what life has in store for these kids.
There are some genuine mysteries though. Why does the school seem obsessed with encouraging them to do creative work, giving them awards and collecting the best work to go to a gallery that they never see? Where does it go and who sees it and why?
Much of the plot is built around a three-way love story between a boy and two girls at school. One of the girls is the main character. All three are good friends but the boy and one of the girls are a couple. (view spoiler)
This quote tells us about the title: “Because maybe, in a way, we didn’t leave it [the school] behind nearly as much as we might once have thought. Because somewhere underneath, a part of us stayed like that: fearful of the world around us, and – no matter how much we despised ourselves for it – unable quite to let each other go.”
I thought it was a good story; it kept my attention all the way through, although not quite as good as the author’s best-known work, Remains of the Day.
Top photo from englishcottagevacation.com
The author from newyorker.com
[Revised, pictures added, spoiler hidden 12/31/22]
The main character is a woman in her early thirties reflecting back on her life as a child at a private school in England. Kids in the school grew up in an isolated but almost idyllic setting; not knowing their parents but realizing somehow they were “special.” After finishing school they live together in small groups in cottages before heading out into the world on their own. The story is set in the late 1990s.
From the very first page we learn something is not right just from the language. We read that they have become “carers” and “donors;” their teachers are called “guardians” and they know there are people out there called their “possible.” We also learn they can have sex but are incapable of having children and that after their third of fourth “donation” they have “completed.” So we catch on pretty quickly what life has in store for these kids.
There are some genuine mysteries though. Why does the school seem obsessed with encouraging them to do creative work, giving them awards and collecting the best work to go to a gallery that they never see? Where does it go and who sees it and why?
Much of the plot is built around a three-way love story between a boy and two girls at school. One of the girls is the main character. All three are good friends but the boy and one of the girls are a couple. (view spoiler)
This quote tells us about the title: “Because maybe, in a way, we didn’t leave it [the school] behind nearly as much as we might once have thought. Because somewhere underneath, a part of us stayed like that: fearful of the world around us, and – no matter how much we despised ourselves for it – unable quite to let each other go.”
I thought it was a good story; it kept my attention all the way through, although not quite as good as the author’s best-known work, Remains of the Day.
Top photo from englishcottagevacation.com
The author from newyorker.com
[Revised, pictures added, spoiler hidden 12/31/22]
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Reading Progress
August 30, 2017
–
Started Reading
August 30, 2017
– Shelved
September 3, 2017
–
Finished Reading
September 14, 2017
– Shelved as:
british-authors
September 14, 2017
– Shelved as:
science-fiction
December 31, 2022
– Shelved as:
dystopian
Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
message 1:
by
G.J.
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rated it 4 stars
Sep 09, 2017 08:15AM
This novel shook me to the core and made me feel so sad, but I am very happy to have read it !
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G.J. wrote: "This novel shook me to the core and made me feel so sad, but I am very happy to have read it !"I thought it was very good - I've finished it but haven't written the review yet
Nice review Jim! I really liked this novel - glad to see that you did too!
Love your review Jim!
Absolutely superb review GaryWell done pal
Great review, Jim! This isn't part of my fairly large genre preferences, but I am always captivated by Kazuo Ishiguro's writing. I enjoyed this one, too, dystopia and all. :)
I've had this on my mental "to-read" list forever, as well. Thanks to your amazing review, it's back on my radar!
I enjoyed your review, Jim. I read this years ago and didn't like it, couldn't warm to it. It seemed limp, as though some vital energy was missing from the narrative. I now remember the feel of the book far more than the details. I never felt inclined to read anything else by Ishiguro.
I was moved more by this one, maybe because i read it first. However they were both extraordinary in a silent way.
Canadian wrote: "I enjoyed your review, Jim. I read this years ago and didn't like it, couldn't warm to it. It seemed limp, as though some vital energy was missing from the narrative. I now remember the feel of the..."Jim, as it often seems to occur, I enjoyed your review more than the book!
A very poignant look at a possible future. This book was beautifully written, its sad story revealed slowly as its characters suffer losses.
Susanne wrote: "Nice review Jim! I really liked this novel - glad to see that you did too!"Thanks Susanne, yes I thought it was quite good
Maureen wrote: "Love your review Jim!"Thanks Maureen
Stuart wrote: "Absolutely superb review GaryWell done pal"
Thanks Stuart, I appreciate your comments
Jaline wrote: "Great review, Jim! This isn't part of my fairly large genre preferences, but I am always captivated by Kazuo Ishiguro's writing. I enjoyed this one, too, dystopia and all. :)"Thanks Jaline, he has a pretty broad scope of style of writing I guess
Rosemary wrote: "A very poignant look at a possible future. This book was beautifully written, its sad story revealed slowly as its characters suffer losses."Well said, Rosemary
Barbara wrote: "Canadian wrote: "I enjoyed your review, Jim. I read this years ago and didn't like it, couldn't warm to it. It seemed limp, as though some vital energy was missing from the narrative. I now remembe..."Thanks Barbara, yes, it is kind of a laid back writing style; reminds me of Trevor a bit
Canadian wrote: "I enjoyed your review, Jim. I read this years ago and didn't like it, couldn't warm to it. It seemed limp, as though some vital energy was missing from the narrative. I now remember the feel of the..."Thanks Canadian. Yes, it is kind of a laid-back writing style; reminds me of Trevor a bit. I liked Remains of the Day more but that has a similar style
Adina wrote: "I was moved more by this one, maybe because i read it first. However they were both extraordinary in a silent way."Adina, you mean compared to Remains? Yes, 'silent' is a good word for both
Kathryn wrote: "I've had this on my mental "to-read" list forever, as well. Thanks to your amazing review, it's back on my radar!"It was in my TBR for maybe 5 years? Not sure why I waited that long to get to it
This book was SO disturbing to me. I found the premise unconscionable.
Hajar wrote: "Excellent review, Jim!"Thanks Hajar
Barbara wrote: "This book was SO disturbing to me. I found the premise unconscionable."Yes, he never really discusses how they feel about knowing they will eventually "complete" by "donating" to other people. Wouldn't some of theme rebel?
Jim wrote: "Wouldn't some of theme rebel?"Yes, surely. (One of many problems with the book, imo.) As for the meaning of the title, that can be an effect of any residential institution, even without the sinister purpose here!
Nice review, Jim. I haven't read this one but added it recently as I loved Remains of the Day.
Paula wrote: "Nice review, Jim. I haven't read this one but added it recently as I loved Remains of the Day."I hope you like it Paula. Different from Remains since it's sci-fi-ish but the quality of writing is still excellent.
Cecily wrote: "Jim wrote: "Wouldn't some of theme rebel?"Yes, surely. (One of many problems with the book, imo.) As for the meaning of the title, that can be an effect of any residential institution, even witho..."
In a way, the protected, "mothering" institution hides that sinister purpose and thus makes it a bit like a Stephen King novel.
Jim wrote: "In a way, the protected, "mothering" institution hides that sinister purpose and thus makes it a bit like a Stephen King novel."Ooh. Now there's an interesting thought. (Not that the rest wasn't!)
Jim wrote: "Adina wrote: "I was moved more by this one, maybe because i read it first. However they were both extraordinary in a silent way."Adina, you mean compared to Remains? Yes, 'silent' is a good word ..." yes, Remains.
Superb review, Jim; one which caused me to see the book in a slightly different light.Hated this, but loved Remains of the Day. It's as if they were written by different people!
Kevin wrote: "Superb review, Jim, one which caused me to see the book in a slightly different light.Hated this, but loved Remains of the Day. It's as if they were written by different people!"
Thanks Kevin. Good point - yes very different. And now that you mention it, so is Artist of the Floating World - different still from both that you mention.
Jim I disliked this book but your synopsis of the story is maybe the best and clearest I have read on this site in the years I have belonged.
Stephen wrote: "Jim I disliked this book but your synopsis of the story is maybe the best and clearest I have read on this site in the years I have belonged."Stephen, but you read it twice! Thanks for your comment.
Jim wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Jim I disliked this book but your synopsis of the story is maybe the best and clearest I have read on this site in the years I have belonged."Stephen, but you read it twice! Thank..."
If you mean the book I screwed up on the computer trying to enter it as read. Indeed I only read it once but grateful for your review.
Stephen wrote: "Jim wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Jim I disliked this book but your synopsis of the story is maybe the best and clearest I have read on this site in the years I have belonged."Stephen, but you read it ..."
oic, makes sense
Teresa wrote: "Great review Jim."Thank you Teresa!
I also did not know this is a dystopian sci-fi now it has my attention thanks to your review, Jim. I never liked Remains of the Day all that much; I thought the butler was too distant and it was quietly crushing. But I'm willing to give Ishiguro another chance.
Joshie wrote: "I also did not know this is a dystopian sci-fi now it has my attention thanks to your review, Jim. I never liked Remains of the Day all that much; I thought the butler was too distant and it was qu..."What amazes me about Ishiguro, Joshie, (I've read 4 of his) is how totally different his context and writing is across his books. So we have Remains, which to me is very British - Masterpiece Theater-ish The dystopia in Never Let Me Go. Artist of the Floating is like a traditional 'Japan after the war story.' But unique and one his best I think is the Unconsoled. [And as I say in a clip from my review below, and of hundreds of books I've read, I would still say this book is the one I think of that best gives that sensation of being trapped in a dream you can't wake from - lol.] So I don't recommend it unless you want that sensation.
It’s not a “pleasant” book but I found its value in reminding me how much a book can ”grab” the reader – and literally give one a visceral, if relatively unpleasant experience. The whole thing is like one of those “frustration dreams” where you are foiled at every turn. It shows how physically powerful the written word can be.
This seems a little bit like a nightmare so I shall carefully consider. And sometimes such unpleasant sensation is what we need to escape from a dire reality. I have only read Remains of his so I might as well try another one. The written word is very powerful indeed. Thanks for the elaborate response, Jim. I really appreciate it!
Joshie wrote: "This seems a little bit like a nightmare so I shall carefully consider. And sometimes such unpleasant sensation is what we need to escape from a dire reality. I have only read Remains of his so I m..."Yes, nightmare. Artist of the Floating World may be his most 'normal' book -- set in Japan
Dystopian science fiction? I did not know that.
Sassa wrote: "Dystopian science fiction? I did not know that."Yes I guess the author had gotten into that - also his Buried Giant, which I have not read
I am about 3/4 through and enjoying it very much, although I am not much of a sci-fi fan.
Terry wrote: "I am about 3/4 through and enjoying it very much, although I am not much of a sci-fi fan."Just finished When We Were Orphans - pretty good with some fantasy at the end. Haven't done the review yet. Never Let Me Go is barely sci-fi I guess because other than the premise of raising these kids for body parts and as 'carers,' otherwise there is no sci-fi in it. If I recall correctly.
great review, reminds me of the movie, which was sad enough to convince me not to read the book!
Ladan wrote: "great review, reminds me of the movie, which was sad enough to convince me not to read the book!"lol, yes kind of a sad story!
I just finished it and found it powerful. For some reason it reminds me of factory farming. If you're created for a purpose, then that's your destiny, whether you are a veal calf or an organ donor. Really make me think.
Nancy wrote: "I just finished it and found it powerful. For some reason it reminds me of factory farming. If you're created for a purpose, then that's your destiny, whether you are a veal calf or an organ donor...."Well that's an interesting way of looking at it. I suppose what surprised me (if I recall correctly) was that no one ever revolted or ran away from their fate.
Jim wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I just finished it and found it powerful. For some reason it reminds me of factory farming. If you're created for a purpose, then that's your destiny, whether you are a veal calf or a..."Exactly. (spoiler alert!)
I expected perhaps a dramatic Lover's Leap off a cliff to avoid their destiny, or even an escape, but it doesn't seem to occur to anyone. I guess it is very difficult to get away from the life you've become rooted to.
