Review: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Review of the book “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro.

“The Remains of the Day” is a novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro in 1989, which tells the story of Stevens, an English butler who embarks on a trip through England to visit an old co-worker. The novel is a moving exploration of a man’s life and his relationship to his work and his country, while also being a commentary on class, loyalty and nostalgia.

What does it mean to be a good steward? What does it mean to faithfully serve a man who turns out to be a traitor to his country? What happens when he gives up love for duty? These are some of the questions raised by The Remains of the Day, the most acclaimed novel by the British writer of Japanese origin Kazuo Ishiguro, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017.

The Remains of the Day tells the story of Stevens, a butler who has dedicated his life to serving at Darlington Hall, an English mansion that was the scene of important political meetings between the two world wars. Stevens is the epitome of the perfect butler: discreet, efficient, loyal and dignified. However, his devotion to her work has prevented her from living her own life and expressing her feelings.

The novel is set in 1956, when Stevens receives a letter from Mrs Benn, the former housekeeper of Darlington Hall, inviting him to visit her at the seaside resort of Weymouth. Stevens takes advantage of the fact that his new employer, an American millionaire, lends him his car to undertake a trip through the English countryside and meet again with the woman who was his companion for years and for whom he felt more than respect. .

Throughout the journey, Stevens reflects on his past and the decisions he made or failed to make. Through his memories, the reader discovers the true personality of Lord Darlington, the former owner of the mansion, who turned out to be a Nazi sympathizer and a collaborator of the German cause. The relationship between Stevens and Mrs. Benn, marked by tension and misunderstandings, is also revealed.

The Remains of the Day is a masterful novel that combines the psychological portrait of a complex and contradictory character with the historical and social criticism of a turbulent time. Ishiguro uses an elegant and subtle style to create an atmosphere of melancholy and nostalgia for what could have been and was not. The result is a moving and profound work that explores the themes of regret, identity and the meaning of life.

The novel is told from the perspective of Stevens, who reflects on his life and career as a butler. Stevens is a complex character, deeply private and dedicated to his work at Darlington Hall, where he served for three decades. Through his reflections, the reader comes to know his relationship with his former boss, Lord Darlington, and how the politics of the time affected her career and his personal life.

The book takes place in two planes: the present, in which Stevens travels in his car, and the past, where the story of his life as a butler and his relationship with Lord Darlington is developed in detail. The reader is immersed in a world in which etiquette, discipline and obedience are essential, and you can feel the tension that exists between Stevens and his former love, Miss Kenton, who worked as a housekeeper at the Darlington mansion. Hall.

Ishiguro’s prose is elegant, yet subtle and eloquent. His style fits Stevens’ character perfectly, as he uses a detailed and well-structured narrative, typical of a butler. The dialogues between the characters are full of meaning and leave much to discover, which makes the reader have to pay attention to every word.

The novel is a reflection on the role of social class in society and on loyalty and personal identity. Through the character of Stevens, Ishiguro raises deep and lasting questions about life and death, friendship and love, and how our choices and actions define us as human beings. The play is a detailed portrait of post-war England and a disappearing social class, and is notable for its careful exploration of the characters and their surroundings.

In short, “The Remains of the Day” is an extraordinary novel that explores the life of a man and his relationship with the world around him. The work is a moving portrait of social class, personal identity and loyalty. Ishiguro presents us with a deeply moving character who embodies the tensions of an era and reflects on fundamental questions of human existence. The novel is a masterpiece that has left a lasting mark on contemporary literature and continues to resonate with readers of all ages.