#2749
Mentioned in 13 episodes

Never Let Me Go

Book • 2005
The novel is set in a dystopian England where cloning technology allows for the mass production of organ donors.

The story is narrated by Kathy, a clone who works as a 'carer' for other donors.

Kathy reflects on her upbringing at Hailsham, a boarding school for clones, and her relationships with her friends Ruth and Tommy.

As the narrative unfolds, it reveals the grim reality of the clones' existence: they are raised to donate their organs until they 'complete' (die).

The book explores themes of identity, humanity, and the moral implications of scientific advancements, raising questions about the treatment of the vulnerable and the nature of human existence.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 13 episodes

Mentioned by
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Janna Levin
as a book with devastating and stunning themes.
1,389 snips
#468 – Janna Levin: Black Holes, Wormholes, Aliens, Paradoxes & Extra Dimensions
Mentioned by
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Monica Monsoon
as a book she recently bought, noting it won a big award.
89 snips
Yuval Noah Harari IV (on the history of information networks)
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Rebecca Shinsky
and
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Jeff O'Neill
discuss Ishiguro's dystopian novel, which turns 20 this year.
19 snips
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Recommended by
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Claire Parker
, who declared the author her favorite.
19 snips
Noticing Taylor Swift’s New Album, Bari Weiss’s New Role, and Golf
Mentioned by
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James Acaster
as a book he received from Nish Kumar.
14 snips
Ep 294: Carey Mulligan
Mentioned by Speaker 2 as a book that explores ethical and societal issues through an emotional lens.
11 snips
The Non-Fiction of Science Fiction
Mentioned by Rebecca C in relation to the ethical considerations of creating and utilizing 'innies' in a dystopian setting.
‘Severance’ Season 2, Episode 4: The Lumon Work Retreat From Hell
Mentioned by
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Elizabeth Day
as one of
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Kazuo Ishiguro
's works that has earned him countless awards.
ON WRITING... With Salman Rushdie and Kazuo Ishiguro
Recommended by Neil for its philosophy on lifting, living, and learning, emphasizing the importance of willpower management.
3585: Play Time and Why You Need It by Nia Shanks on How to Improve Mental Health and Resilience
Mentioned by
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Erica Krauss
as one of Ishiguro's novels that was adapted into a major motion picture.
Inside the Writer's Studio: On Stage Interview and Reading with Kazuo Ishiguro
Mentioned by
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Michael Boyle
as one of Dan John's books that he had always read, and liked everything about Dan.
#393 Michael Boyle - Should Young Athletes Specialize Early?
Recommended by
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Danny Tobey
as a book he recently finished and greatly enjoyed.
From Precedents to Predictions to ??? w/ Danny Tobey
Mentioned by
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Caspar Henderson
who believes it to be an incredible book.
The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino
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Bob Sala
erwähnt Kazuo Ishiguros Roman "Never Let Me Go".
A Pale View of Hills
Mentioned by
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James Delingpole
as a disturbing novel about children bred as clones for organ donation.
Ole Dammegård
Mentioned by
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Andy
when discussing other films starring Andrew Garfield, alongside Keira Knightley and Cary Mulligan.
S01 E95 - Roll of the Dice #1
Mentioned by
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Slavoj Žižek
as one of his favorite novels.
Downstream: What’s The Real Point of Trump’s Tariffs? w/ Slavoj Žižek
Mentioned by
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Matthew Benjamin Cole
as an example of realistic fiction writers gravitating towards dystopian themes.
Matthew Benjamin Cole, "Fear the Future: Dystopia and Political Imagination in the Twentieth Century" (U of Michigan Press, 2025)
Mentioned by
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Tom Gatti
and
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David Sexton
in discussion of its lasting impact and themes.
Why we can't let go of Never Let Me Go

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