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Kazuo Ishiguro

(1954) is a British author who was born in Nagasaki, Japan. He migrated to England with his family so his father, who was an oceanographer, could work with the National Institute of Oceanography.

Ishiguro’s novels are mainly historical in nature. The dates mentioned in his novels are correct and the atmosphere presented is very accurate. He writes in the first person viewpoint and portrays the narrator to be human complete with flaws.

Kazuo Ishiguro is known as one of the greatest British authors. His work has been translated into over thirty languages and he has been given many awards. He has received 4 ‘Man Booker Prize’ nominations. He has also won a prize for his novel ‘The Remains of the Day’ in 1989. He was also ranked on number 32 on ‘The 50 greatest British writers since 1945’ by The Times.

Ishiguro married Lorna MacDougal in 1986. They currently live in London with their daughter Naomi.

Source: famousauthors

The Remains of the Day (1989) The novel tells the story of Stevens, an English butler who dedicates his life to the loyal service of Lord Darlington (mentioned in increasing detail in flashbacks).

The novel begins with Stevens receiving a letter from an ex co-worker called Miss Kenton, describing her married life, which he believes hints at her unhappy marriage. Stevens' new employer, Mr. Farraday, who Stevens fails to hold in high esteem, then grants permission for Stevens to borrow the car to take a break.

As he sets out on the motoring trip and meets the long since retired housekeeper, Miss Kenton, he ponders (via numerous flashbacks) his previous actions and his feelings of love for Miss Kenton, which she silently reciprocated.

Both characters failed to ever fully admit their true feelings for one another.

Arguably this is due to the lack of communication between the pair; throughout the flashbacks, the majority of their interactions are through conflict and confrontation.

Many of Stevens' memories are biased, leaving the reader with the impression that he is an unreliable narrator. Yet throughout the novel, he prides himself on his attention to detail, which leads the reader to believe that Stevens deliberately mis-remembers or alters his recollections so that they cast him in a better light.

These purposefully altered memories support what he wants to believe, that there is still a chance for him and Miss Kenton.

Source: litlovers.com

“After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished?”

To know more: -

Books of The Times BBC Radio 4 BookClub Writer’s Facebook The Remains Of The Day – Original trailer (1993)