The Book Club Review

97. The Remains of the Day

Jun 5, 2021
Delve into Kazuo Ishiguro's 'The Remains of the Day,' focusing on the contemplative life of a butler reflecting on choices in 1950s England. Explore the protagonist's introspective journey through the picturesque countryside and the complexities of duty and regret. The discussion highlights varied perceptions from book club members about character depth and emotional resonance. Enjoy intriguing literary recommendations, including Ian McEwan's 'Amsterdam' and Paul Scott's 'Staying On,' while considering themes of friendship and societal change.
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INSIGHT

Duty Shapes A Life

  • The Remains of the Day follows Stevens, a butler, reflecting on service, politics and a lost chance at personal connection.
  • Ishiguro uses a road journey to surface memory, duty and the limits of selfhood.
INSIGHT

Voice Is The Novel's Engine

  • Listeners praised the assured, controlled prose as a major strength of the novel.
  • The reading clip illustrates Stevens' precise, formal voice and the humour tucked into restrained narration.
ANECDOTE

Film Casting Warps Reading

  • Laura admits she pictured Anthony Hopkins as Stevens despite never seeing the film, which affected her reading.
  • That mental casting made it harder for her to form original impressions of the character.
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