Genre:
Dystopian, science-fiction.
Themes/Triggers:
Friendship, love, identity, trust, loss, belonging, memory, inequality, organ donation, quality of life, question of existence, social obligations, control/controlled environments, hope and free will.
Synopsis:
Set in an alternative 1990's Great Britain, Kathy reflects on her life and early childhood memories with her friends Tommy and Ruth during their years at Hailsham School. Following the three through their pre-ordained future, Kathy tries to come to terms with the future that awaits them in the wider world.
Thoughts:
This was my first Ishiguro read and I must admit I was drawn by all the positive reviews and couldn't wait to get in to it. This was a short, compelling novel that was highly atmospheric. I felt a sense of eeriness and detachment whilst reading from Kathy's point of view and knew this was probably how she felt with her life. If a book can make me feel that emotionally invested and sympathetic towards its characters then it's definitely a good book. It's ultimately what any reader wants, in my opinion, to be transported to another world. The plot itself was so interesting, I loved the idea of the Hailsham school and the special purpose of it's pupils. I have never read anything like it. It held an inkling of 'dark academia' with the pupil's being conditioned from their early years and made to believe in their purpose with such solidity.
This was a refreshing and insightful read. The psychology behind it had me in awe. I love reading books that make me think deeply, see people and life from a different perspective. It also made me question the need for power and control in humanity as well as the desire for immortality. Not to forget the question of science and the potential for reproduction cloning in real life along with the ethical and social problems that would arise from it. I read this book months ago and its impact is still fresh in my mind, I instantly feel drawn back in to the world of Hailsham by thinking of it. It still makes me question what lengths people would go to in order to fulfil their own wants.
The characters were really well written and developed throughout the story. Kathy, Tommy and Ruth felt so real and human in their thoughts and emotions that it took me more then half the book to see their reality. There are so many layers to this story and there is so much to reflect on. The heartbreak, the passion for life, the love, the needing to belong to someone and somewhere, it was all so intense. Kathy's willpower and light was an inspiration, her fight to keep going and her love/care for her friends was so heart-warming. Despite having no control over her life and purpose she remained strong-willed and was determined to have experiences. There are so many chilling and touching moments in this book but what struck me most was her innate need (not desire) to be a mother.
This is truly one of my top reads in the science-fiction/psychology genre. The question of existence and what qualifies as a life lived well has always been of interest to me. What makes a person a person? Is it our souls, our emotions or our physical bodies? I know I'll be re-reading this in the future and I'll definitely be looking into reading similar books. This is a work of art. If you haven't read Never Let Me Go, add it to your list.
Favourite Quotes:
'Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don’t go along with that. The memories I value most, I don’t ever see them fading.'
'Sometimes I get so immersed in my own company, if I unexpectedly run into someone I know, it's a bit of a shock and takes me a while to adjust.'
'We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all.'
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