Kazuo Ishiguro

A Pale View of Hills

An Artist of the Floating World

Narrated in the first-person perspective of an English butler named Stevens, the story unfolds in July 1956 when Stevens embarks on a six-day journey to the West Country of England. This is west of Darlington Hall, where he has offered his services as a butler for thirty-four years. Initially owned by the late Lord Darlington, the mansion is now under the proprietorship of Mr. Farraday, an American gentleman. Although Stevens appreciates his new employer, he struggles to engage in casual conversation, a skill he labels "bantering". Throughout the narrative, he repeatedly expresses his intention to enhance this skill to better interact with Mr. Farraday.

Stevens' motivation for his journey is a desire to reconnect with Miss Kenton, Darlington Hall's former housekeeper who departed two decades ago to marry. Having received a letter from her hinting at her unstable marital status and potential desire to resume her previous role, Stevens hopes to address the staffing challenges he's faced since the end of World War II. His musings frequently delve into his experiences during and after the War, including the elegant gatherings and the distinguished guests at Darlington Hall. It is subtly disclosed that Lord Darlington, misinterpreting Germany's intentions prior to World War II, was sympathetic towards the Nazis, which Stevens, loyal to his former employer, defends.

The narrative also comprises Stevens' accounts of his peers, other butlers in analogous establishments, and his significant professional bond with Miss Kenton, inferring suppressed romantic feelings for her. Their past disagreements, seemingly trivial, underscore their mutual care. In the story's finale, Miss Kenton, now Mrs. Benn, confesses her life might have been more fulfilling had she chosen Stevens as her spouse, a revelation that leaves him distressed yet unable to convey his feelings. The story ends with a regretful Stevens returning to Darlington Hall, resolved to master the art of bantering. Ultimately, the narrative is a poignant tale of regret and missed opportunities, illustrating how Stevens' unwavering dedication to his profession leads him to ignore the possibility of a fulfilling romantic relationship. His professional demeanor creates a barrier preventing him from forming deep connections and gaining true understanding.

The Remains of the Day

The Unconsoled

When We Were Orphans

Set in an alternative late 20th-century England, a grim reality unfolds where human clones, known as "students," quietly exist to extend the lives of regular people through an established organ donation system. Our narrator, 31-year-old Kathy H., identifies herself as a “carer”—a clone designated to look after fellow clones during their organ donation process, which eventually leads to their demise or "completion." The narrative takes us through Kathy’s recollections of her early years spent at Hailsham, a secluded educational institution for clones, and her friendships with two peers, Ruth and Tommy. The trio's bond takes center stage, with Kathy recounting Ruth's enigmatic nature and Tommy's struggles with his volatile temper and lack of creativity, traits deemed essential by the institution's caretaker figures, known as the "guardians."

The narrative oscillates between different stages of Kathy's life, from her childhood to adulthood. It further delves into the trio's transition from Hailsham to a halfway house called the Cottages and their subsequent interactions with "veteran" students from other educational institutions. The narrative captures the nuances of their evolving relationships and encounters, such as a disappointing trip to Norfolk in search of Ruth's possible genetic original, as well as the emotional turmoil they face as they gradually confront the purpose of their existence. Amidst the unfolding events, Tommy and Kathy find solace in one another, indulging in creative expressions, which they believe might determine their eligibility for a rumored donation deferral for couples truly in love.

As Kathy transitions to the role of a carer, she encounters Ruth, dealing with a tough first donation. Following Ruth's passing after her second organ donation, Kathy takes over as Tommy's carer. They explore the possibility of a donation deferral by visiting Madame, an influential figure from their Hailsham days. The visit ends in despair, as they learn that no such deferrals exist, followed by the revelation that Hailsham was a failed experiment meant to prove the humanity of clones. A heartbroken Tommy completes after his fourth donation, leaving Kathy alone with her memories and the inevitability of her own completion.

Kazuo Ishiguro Books in Order (10 Book Series)

A Pale View of Hills

An Artist of the Floating World

The Remains of the Day

The Unconsoled

When We Were Orphans

Never Let Me Go

Nocturnes

Five Stories of Music and Nightfall

The Buried Giant

A Novel

Come Rain or Come Shine

Faber Stories

Klara and the Sun

A Novel

What To Read Next

Kazuo Ishiguro Books in Order (10 Book Series)

A Pale View of Hills

An Artist of the Floating World

The Remains of the Day

The Unconsoled

When We Were Orphans

Never Let Me Go

Nocturnes

Five Stories of Music and Nightfall

The Buried Giant

A Novel

Come Rain or Come Shine

Faber Stories

Klara and the Sun

A Novel

What To Read Next

Share this page