Grace

So so beautiful. Such a fast-paced, vivid, and encapsulating read. As someone who doesn't read a lot of fantasy or know very much at all about Greek mythology, I was a little worried that I wouldn't love this as much as I've heard everyone else does. But this is just what I needed coming out of a huge reading slump, I couldn't put it down and I felt so immersed in the story. I was so attached to Achilles and Patroclus and I sobbed at the end. A new favourite for sure

4.5

Cryptic, murky, dark, and riddled with guilt and uncertainty.

We follow the unreliable narration of Etsuko which drifts between her memories of life in Nagasaki with her first husband and an enigmatic neighbouring mother and daughter, as well as the present day in England during a visit from her youngest daughter while she reflects upon the recent suicide of her eldest daughter.

Ishiguro writes equivocally, and you learn quickly not to take everything at its face value. This is hinted at many times by Etsuko spectating on the fogginess of her own memory. His use of allegory to obscure the readers' understanding of his characters words and actions is done masterfully.

It must be read with skepticism, curiosity, patience, and an open mind. And then probably reread, to look for everything you missed the first time. So captivating and intelligent.

2.5 stars

I reeeeeally wanted to enjoy this but in the end I had to stop lying to myself and admit that I just didn't. While the book does offer some valuable, intelligent insights, which have stuck with me and reframed some of the ways I think about love, I feel like everything it had to offer was condensed into the first two chapters and the rest just irritated me.

There were many sweeping, absolute statements which lacked concrete examples and follow through explanation. It felt like big, fancy, academic words were just thrown in there to contribute to the scientific illusion, without citing a single study. With the heavy religious undertones too, it kind of just felt like I was being preached at throughout much of the second half. Not my vibe.

In short, Hooks does have some real practical, powerful, and interesting things to say here, but they just could have been articulated in a way that was based on research more so than religion and opinion.

This was faultless and enthralling, touching on what makes us human, the social bonds and hierarchies we construct, the ethics of scientific advancement, art, love, hope, and what it means to live. Ishiguro explores these themes with a wistful and alluring spirit through his expertly crafted characters, namely the intimate and intelligent narration by Kathy and her nuanced relationships with Ruth and Tommy.
It is not altogether clear what the novel is about from the beginning. Structured like something of a memoir, the reader is made to slowly piece together this world through a series of anecdotes provided by Kathy as she reflects on her upbringing within a program for other students of her kind. We sense that something about this world is strange and troubling, and somehow it feels nostalgic and tender, with a candid yet ambiguous tone. It was at once devastating and mesmerising. It was perfect.