This quietly subversive novel showed how the English obsession with class colours our emotions, speech and interactions and made me look at the country I thought I knew with fresh eyes
I think there is more to the book than a comment on the class system. It is this: the honourable pursuit of the worthless endeavour.
I do think that although the book is set in Britain, Kazuo Ishuguro also comments the incredibly hierarchical history of Japan. Lord and masters, Samurai, warlords, grades of society, minions and servants..religion itself
To be honest, the book is so brilliant, its voice can be applied to all hierarchical traps, and by the way, it's also very funny.
A favorite. Although I am American, deferential behavior, instituted by economics and class differences, is no stranger. Returning to California after a year in Athens, Georgia, I was struck when at the border the agricultural inspector, a young black man, looked me directly in the eye as he spoke to me, something that I realized had not happened during my time in the south.
My 1st intro to Remains of the Day was the film, many years ago. Its slow controlled pace and underground sadness impressed me to repeat the film and to enjoy discussing it with friends. That blank mask of Stevens bidding farewell to the only person who had stirred his emotions, is still vivid in my mind.
I think there is more to the book than a comment on the class system. It is this: the honourable pursuit of the worthless endeavour.
I do think that although the book is set in Britain, Kazuo Ishuguro also comments the incredibly hierarchical history of Japan. Lord and masters, Samurai, warlords, grades of society, minions and servants..religion itself
To be honest, the book is so brilliant, its voice can be applied to all hierarchical traps, and by the way, it's also very funny.
A favorite. Although I am American, deferential behavior, instituted by economics and class differences, is no stranger. Returning to California after a year in Athens, Georgia, I was struck when at the border the agricultural inspector, a young black man, looked me directly in the eye as he spoke to me, something that I realized had not happened during my time in the south.
Lovely essay. Tiny typo: "sewn" should be "sown."
My 1st intro to Remains of the Day was the film, many years ago. Its slow controlled pace and underground sadness impressed me to repeat the film and to enjoy discussing it with friends. That blank mask of Stevens bidding farewell to the only person who had stirred his emotions, is still vivid in my mind.