Never Let Me Go

Back of the Book

From Booker Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro comes a devastating novel of innocence, knowledge, and loss. As children, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy were students at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school secluded in the English countryside. It was a place of mercurial cliques and mysterious rules—and teachers were constantly reminding their charges of how special they were. Now, years later, Kathy is a young woman. Ruth and Tommy have reentered her life, and for the first time she is beginning to look back at their shared past and understand just what it is that makes them so special - and how that gift will shape the rest of their time together. Suspenseful, moving, beautifully atmospheric, Never Let Me Go is another classic by the author of The Remains of the Day.

Why You Should Read It

Never Let Me Go is a poignant exploration of the human soul, a novel that transcends its dystopian setting to delve into the intricacies of love, mortality, and the essence of what it means to be human. Ishiguro's prose is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the nuance of emotions with a rare precision. The narrative unfolds gently, revealing a heartbreaking reality that lingers in the mind long after the book is closed. Ishiguro's masterful storytelling compels readers to confront profound questions about identity, ethics, and the fragility of life. This novel is not just a speculative fiction masterpiece; it is an introspective journey that prompts reflection on the very core of our existence. For those seeking a literary experience that goes beyond the conventions of genre, Never Let Me Go is a powerful and evocative work that leaves an indelible mark on the heart and mind.

Memorable Passage

I keep thinking about this river somewhere, with the water moving really fast. And these two people in the water, trying to hold onto each other, holding on as hard as they can, but in the end it's just too much. The current's too strong. They've got to let go, drift apart. That's how it is with us. It's a shame, Kath, because we've loved each other all our lives. But in the end, we can't stay together forever.

About the Author

Kazuo Ishiguro, born on November 8, 1954, in Nagasaki, Japan, is a celebrated British novelist whose body of work has earned him international acclaim and literary honors. Emigrating to England at the age of five, Ishiguro's multicultural background profoundly influences the themes in his novels. His meticulous prose and ability to seamlessly blend genres have distinguished him as a master storyteller. Ishiguro's exploration of memory, identity, and the human condition, exemplified in novels like The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go, resonates with a universal audience. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017, Ishiguro's work captures the complexities of the human experience with nuance and emotional depth. His compelling narratives and thought-provoking themes make Kazuo Ishiguro a writer well worth knowing, a literary luminary whose contributions continue to shape contemporary literature.

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Aimee Bender