The Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro
5/5 stars
Stevens, a butler of many years, reminisces on his life in service with Lord Darlington and his relationship with the housekeeper, Miss Kenton, some twenty years previously. In addition to his reminiscences, Stevens muses on dignity, what makes a good butler, the importance of banter, and loyalty. Another theme is the role of perspective in shaping memory.
The Remains of the Day begins slowly, and seems a bit dry at first. As Stevens' story progresses, however, it becomes a compelling book with a slow, stately pace, echoing the perfect butler. I especially liked how Ishiguro assumes the intelligence of his readers, that they will be able to make connections and piece together the whole from the bits he reveals. The restrained emotion throughout the book was particularly moving. Ishiguro is an excellent writer, and I can certainly see how this became a modern classic.
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