Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

 Remains of the Day

This book immediately struck me as a character study. I didn’t expect much action, and predictably, didn’t get much.  Mostly it was about getting inside a stuffy, dignified butler’s head, listening to his internal dialogue, his thought process, and his many recollections of a thirty-year career, annnnnnnnnnd—I LOVED IT!!  💗 It had such depth and insight that I couldn’t wait to return each day to see what Mr. Stevens would reveal and what the outcome of his quest would be.  I was not disappointed.  In fact, the book stirred me more than I expected.  Yes, those tears fell freely when I wasn’t looking.  It snuck up on me—all of it, all of Mr. Stevens’ days that he shared moved me in some way.

 

I’m not sure this book is for everyone.  "Boring" is how one friend described it as he politely set it aside. BUT I truly believe if my friend got into his Zen mode and picked it up again, he might—if not quite LOVE it—at least appreciate it.  In my opinion this book definitely earned its Booker Prize.

I think my friend and I would have a lot to discuss, namely Stevens’ dignity, his unflappable dignity, that with years of practice pumps through the blood of great butlers.  We would also touch upon Stevens’ utter devotion and loyalty to his employer and his profession as a butler of the highest standards—to which he yielded his life.  We would, no doubt, discuss Stevens’ father and Stevens’ obvious blindness to Miss Kenton. Finally we’ll fold in some anecdotes like the message he’s expected to deliver to twenty-three-year-old Reginald, or Stevens’ difficulty with the concept of relaxed, bantering conversations.  In the end, we’ll ask—was it all worth it for Stevens?  

 

I’ll say it again; I loved this book.  Another reason to like it is that it didn’t presume to take up an enormous amount of time.  At 245 pages, it was an enjoyable hill instead of a challenging mountain to climb. 

 

I know the book was made into a movie in 1993, but I have no desire to see the film starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.  I’m sure they did an excellent job, and I probably wouldn’t even see flashes of Hannibal Lecter seeping through Stevens’ persona, but for now I have my own images formed and will relish in them.

Happy Reading!

Annette