Saturday, June 28, 2014

'Never Let Me Go' by Kazuo Ishiguro/ What It's About and What I Think it Means



     I feel that in Never Let Me Go, Japanese born British author Kazuo Ishiguro has written a literarily perfect novel.  It is in the category of science fiction.  It has also been made into a movie, which I have not seen.  I never heard of this book until it was sent to me by the library of congress for the blind, or state library for the blind.
     At first I almost gave up on this book, because I did not know what it was about (my books come automatically based on my preferences in authors and genres).  However, I researched the book, and then I understood.  In fact, I was totally understanding at this point and very intrigued.  I do not want to totally spoil the plot, in case you want to read this book, and I do not usually like science fiction or phantasy, but this book really caught my attention.  It was read by a reader with an English accent, which was appropriate, considering it takes place in England, mostly the rural countryside, which I personally have never been to, but long to go to go to.  (I have only been to London, but have karma with Scotland, at least considering my relationship with Alan, who died, and my ancestry.)
    The main characters are Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth.  The book skips around in time a bit.  It starts out in a school called Hailsham in the English countryside.  Well, actually, that being the nineties when they were in there teens, like thirteen, it actually begins in the present 2000's when Kathy is a carer.  It keeps talking about doners, and this is the spooky part.
     Kathy and Tommy are very close.  So are Kathy and Ruth, but they have some turmoil in their relationship off and on.  The school encourages creativity, and the reason is a mystery.  In fact, everything is kind of mysterious in a way.  However, the reason for this is explained, and the reader becomes aware of the plot, bit by bit.
     After being at Hailsham, they are sent, among others, who are not from Hailsham, but are in the same situation, to a place called 'the cottages.'  The cottages are cold and are not as nice as Hailsham, but they are communal with these other young people, who are called veterans.
     I would also like to mention that the reason it is called 'Never Let Me Go,' is because of a song by Judy Bridgewater that Kathy listens to when she is a child, that Madame sees her dancing to, pretending to hold a baby.  The tape disappears, but Tommy finds it again years later in a little antique store with Kathy, on one of the group's many road trips.  Madame had sobbed, seeing Kathy dancing to the song long ago.  The meaning comes up fully in the story, and I think it is a nice twist or detail.
     Much more happens from there, and we eventually come back to the present day, but I will not tell any more, because that would give away the story.  I will say, however, why I think this book is really powerful.  The plot is somewhat inhumane in a completely civilized way.  You may have to think a bit to understand what I mean by that, but on the other hand you may understand immediately.  I tend to assume that everyone understands at times.  I think the world is very sick and corrupt, and even the most supposedly spiritual or wonderful arenas are full of terrible travesties.  While this book and its questions it poses without saying, of ethics, is really deep, I get it.  I really do.  Many situations in this world are wrong and unethical, and yet we go along with them.  Sometimes you wonder why that must be or why it is.  Just look at the Nazi Holocaust.  It also happens on a small scale, very small and in the most sanctimonious communities, part of why I left the whole Meher Baba scene.  There was too much evil going on, especially around the Meher Center here in South Carolina.
     I hope you will find some time to read this great author's work.  If you do not trust my review, then just check it out on google, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or any other book review material that you may prefer.  If anything, I have to say that it is a dark tale, no doubt, but unless you are living in an alternate universe, this world is dark.  And, when you have a life with some darkness, you know how to see the light between the cracks.  This book is not for the faint hearted or those with a charmed life, but anyone in their right mind would find his writing brilliant.  I found it utterly beautiful to be honest.