Book Review: Never Let Me Go

I'll need to keep by review of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro short so as not to give away too much.  A big part of what makes this an interesting read is the way one gradually gains an increased understanding of the main characters' circumstances.

The early part of the book is set at an isolated English boarding school called Hailsham.  The narrator's reflections on her experience at the school sound in some ways like any other coming of age stories, Hailsham is not your typical boarding school.  We know something strange is going on, a dark shadow is cast across otherwise playful childhood memories.  As we progress, a clearer picture of what's going on emerges.  Let's just say it has echoes of Brave New World, brought up to date with today's technological possibilities—and pitfalls.

Ishiguro is able to comment on bioethical issues through this work without losing sight of the characters and their plight.  The author of Remains of the Day and When We Were Orphans, among other notable books, deftly strikes a balance between storytelling and social commentary.  My primary critique of the book is that he dwelled extensively on various school-day anecdotes, which made me anxious to move on sooner and learn more about what was really going on.

Never Let Me Go is one of this year's Booker Prize short list books.  There's a Gather Group where we are reading the 2006 Booker Prize books and commenting on the extent to which we agree or disagree with the selection.  I felt Never Let Me Go was a very good work, but so far I agree with the Prize selection committee, as I liked John Banville's The Sea  better.  If you want to read and discuss some good books, join the Booker Prize group  and participate in the conversation!