A Pale View of Hills

Noen bøker tar det litt tid å få taket på, om det skyldes egen sinnsstemning, selve historien eller problemer med å få oversikt over persongalleriet som i denne boken, men slutten var en åpenbaring - dette er først og fremst en gåte på 184 sider, muligens en gåte uten løsning, men som får meg til å sitte igjen tankefull og undrende. Det er en ganske bra attest, men ikke nok til at jeg vil vurdere boken som en klassiker.

I disliked every single character in this book.

That being said, this book left me confused and not quite. I think it was hinting at some point to what was going on (Etsuko's dream), but I still didn't quite realize it until later in the book. And even then, since I got my hands on a poorly edited version, I actually thought the pronouns in the last pages were misspelled (that until Mariko was running away towards the cottage).

Although I didn't like any of the characters, the novel is really good. And I must say, I like Ishiguro's writing a lot.

I'm not sure how to interpret everything. But the atmosphere is good and I enjoyed and hated some of the characters, which is always a good sign. Also the layered plot left me wondering quite many things as I closed the book. I think this needs a reread, like many have done. But in conclusion think I'll need to read some more of Mr. Ishiguro's books after this.

The narrative is involving and so subtle and full of nuances, the book is worth reading just for it. Some things bother me, though: there is this suspicion that Etsuko may in fact be Sachiko, the traumatized post war kitten killer - and maybe child killer- and Mariko might be Keiko, the latter suicidal daughter, which would explain a couple of things such as what happened to S and M or why Keiko killed herself or the glimpses of personality you see in Etsuko.
There is slso the possibility this is too much imagination and in that case all of that is unanswered and deeply dissatisfying.
So, three stars it is.

ইশিগুরো সাহেব নোবেলটা পেতেই আমার মত যা তা পাঠকেরা হুমড়ি খেয়ে পড়েছে। আমিও পড়লাম। এটা ইশিগুরোর প্রথম উপন্যাস। নাতিদীর্ঘ, তবে বাঁধুনি আঁটো তাও না, বরং দুর্বল লেগেছে আমার কাছে।

গল্পে গল্প সামান্যই ছিল, দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধোত্তর জাপানের পুরাতন জাতীয়তাবাদ এবং নতুন পশ্চিম থেকে আসা গণতন্ত্রের সংঘাতটাই যতদূর যা আকর্ষণীয় লেগেছে। তা বাদে সংলাপ খুবই বিরক্তিকর রকমের পুনরাবৃত্তিমূলক ছিল।

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.