The Remains of the Day

By: Kazuo Ishiguro

Narrated by: Dominic West

From the winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature

A contemporary classic, The Remains of the Day is Kazuo Ishiguro's beautiful and haunting evocation of life between the wars in a Great English House. In the summer of 1956, Stevens, the ageing butler of Darlington Hall, embarks on a leisurely holiday that will take him deep into the countryside - and into his past.

©2012 Kazuo Ishiguro (P)2012 Faber & Faber

The Most Balanced Work

Impossible to stop listening to this one. In fact, I listned to it all in one go today at work. It is a contemplative story which balances many themes masterfully. The narration is in the same vein laid back and urgent at the same time, making it a vexing listen indeed. Heartily recommended.

wow

‘Lord Darlington wasn’t a bad man. He wasn’t a bad man at all. And at least he had the privilege of being able to say at the end of his life that he made his own mistakes.'.... nice

A most dignified read.

One would wish to compliment the author, on performing his writing duties, with such considerable skill as to delight the reader!

A butler’s memoir

A tender and touching story of a life spent in the service of others. Nobel laureate Ishiguro is Japanese by birth but he vividly captures the nature and nuances of Englishness in the years before and soon after the Second World War. The narrator Dominic West splendidly embodies that English character employing convincing English manner of speaking both posh and rural.
A most enjoyable and poignant read.

Beautiful

I'd seen the movie - a long time ago - but had never read the book.

It is simply & beautifully told. Stevens sets out on a road trip in his employer's car for a week. The week is filled with reverie of his life over 30 years as butler to a great household & his relationship with former housekeeper Miss Kenton.

Stevens' focus throughout his career has been on dignity within his role as butler & we become aware what he has sacrificed to achieve & maintain this goal. He too seems to become aware & regrets the impact the sacrifice this focus has had on his relationship with his father & also his potential love interest.

Stevens' character is well crafted, the story is a moving one of a life when the large English houses were the hub of political activity. It is wonderfully told & narrated.

Stevens weighs his regrets but resolves to enjoy the remains of "his day".