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The Remains of the Day

By Kazuo Ishiguro

(327)

| Hardcover | 9780571153107

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Book Description

A tragic, spiritual portrait of a perfect English butler and his reaction to his fading insular world in post-war England. A wonderful, wonderful book.

Critics

In Service

There’s an Auden sonnet, written in 1938 as part of the ‘In Time of War’ sequence, in which the setting seems to be a country house where great matters are being discussed: You are not logged in If you have already registered please login here If you ... (read full critics)

lrb published on Fri, 3 Sep 2010

19 Reviews

3 people find this helpful

I would have given an higher note, but the rhythm is too slow, and in some cases I found the descriptions about the butler's tasks and duties boring and redundant. But the plot is interesting and I think that the feelings of Miss Keaton and Mr. Stevens are very pure even if they never express them f ... (continue)

I would have given an higher note, but the rhythm is too slow, and in some cases I found the descriptions about the butler's tasks and duties boring and redundant. But the plot is interesting and I think that the feelings of Miss Keaton and Mr. Stevens are very pure even if they never express them freely and completely.Very interesting the historical setting.

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Leanan said on Mar 4, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

I trusted

"But that doesn't mean to say, of course, there aren't occasions now and then - extremely desolate occasions - when you think to yourself: 'What a terrible mistake I've made with my life.' And you get to thinking about a different life I might have had. For instance, I get thinking about a life I mi ... (continue)

"But that doesn't mean to say, of course, there aren't occasions now and then - extremely desolate occasions - when you think to yourself: 'What a terrible mistake I've made with my life.' And you get to thinking about a different life I might have had. For instance, I get thinking about a life I might have had with you, Mr Stevens. And I suppose that's when I get angry over some trivial little thing and leave. But each time I do so, I realize before long - my rightful place is with my husband. After all, there's no turning back the clock now. One can't be forever dwelling on what might have been. One should realize one has as good as most, perhaps better, and be grateful."
(...) Indeed - why should I not admit it? - at that moment, my heart was breaking.
At least he had the privilege of being able to say at the end of his life that he made his own mistakes. His lordship was a courageous man. He chose certain path in life, it proved to be a misguided one, but there, he chose it, he can say that at least. As for myself, I cannot even claim that. You see, I trusted. I trusted in his lordship's wisdom. All those years I served him, I trusted I was doing something worthwhile. I can't even say I made my own mistakes. Really - one has to ask oneself - what dignity is there in that?
Surely it is enough that the likes of you and I at least try to make our small contribution count for something true and worthy. And if some of us are prepared to sacrifice much in life in order to pursue such aspirations, surely that is in itself, whatever the outcome, cause for pride and contentment.

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Giulia Irene said on Aug 5, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

Introduction/critical comment(s):

"[The book] is a triumph...This wholly convincing portrait of a human life unweaving before your eyes is inventive and absorbing, by turns funny, absurd, and ultimately very moving." – Sunday Times

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Your Sources said on Aug 15, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

I have a new found respect for English butlers and maids.

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Rasberry Amanda said on Oct 17, 2011 | Add your feedback

Definitely a must

Wonderful prose, hidden meanings (reader has to read between the lines), amazing story, careful rhythm, well-structured dialogues...
What can I say? I think it should have 6 stars.

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Paloalagua said on Aug 7, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

butler

for somebody like me, who works in the service dpt, this book is a sort of bible!

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Saha said on Apr 16, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback