Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go is my third Kazuo Ishiguro novel, and I really highly enjoyed this one. Having had slightly mixed feelings about the other two of his books which I've read (I adored The Remains of the Day but then was a little disappointed with The Buried Giant), I'm so pleased to say that this one bumped Ishiguro further up in my estimations once again. I haven't yet seen the film starring Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley but I highly anticipate watching it now that I know what a brilliant story it adapts.

The novel, which comprises both the dystopian and bildungsroman genres, follows the first-person narration of the protagonist Kathy. We are introduced to the story without much background, which initially leaves you pretty confused. Kathy, now 31 years old, discusses her early life at the boarding school Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic place which teaches its students art and literature and protects them from the corruption of the outside world. The narration jumps back and forth in time, with both adult Kathy and younger Kathy telling the story in a non-linear format. You soon begin to realise that the students at Hailsham really have no connection whatsoever with the outside world, and are completely segregated from reality whilst learning nothing about what awaits them once they leave school. 

Without spoiling the story, I will say this: Hailsham is not the idyllic place they believe it to be. Little do the students know, their entire futures have been engineered for them and they have no power whatsoever to alter the path they are on. The unveiling of the students' true 'purpose' is built up by Ishiguro in a sinister and haunting way, and the suspense gathers to quite a horrific revelation. The novel is subtle, lulling you into a false sense of security with its picturesque opening and the naivety of the young characters - but once you reach the truth it is really hard-hitting.

The story jumps back and forward in time in a hypnotic way, between Kathy's school days and her present. The entire novel has a sense of the surreal and is out of touch with the boundaries of reality, at first appearing utopian and then peeling back the facade to unveil a rather grotesque and terrifying truth. Ishiguro finely crafts the novel to slowly reveal these horrors and it is masterfully done - it is perhaps the subtlety of his narrative which is the most impressive aspect. A highly recommended read!