finished the buried giant just an hour ago or less and it has me completely in a trance. i don't know if i've ever seen an ending that so effortlessly ties together its themes and plot. it hit immediately as i read the final two lines and i finally got the point of the whole novel, it recontextualized EVERYTHING so incredibly artfully. wow. how do i go to work tomorrow.
Just started reading Klara and the Sun. There's something interesting in the way he writes that I can't articulate. The first 50 pages is just the protagonist making observations and not much else but it's strangely compelling. There's definitely something beneath the surface and I can't wait to finish it
I know exactly what you mean! Ishiguro writes those types of scenes so compellingly. The Unconsoled is pretty much observations and reflections for the majority of the novel, and yet it’s so intriguing to read.
I really love the fact how she is observing like you can completely be in her shoes like humans observe. It’s not like typical novels where you have to assume how the scene looks and to me that’s what gets me hooked as soon as i can start imagining the moment.
He is also my favourite living author. I love watching his interviews and insights , he is also an eloquent speaker. One never forgets his work after reading it!!
Really good wrap up, thanks. I spent all of Never Let Me Go frustrated because they didn’t try to break out. Beautiful, mournful story. Really left a mark on me.
Huge Ishiguro fan from Greece here. I also consider the Buried giant as his best book. The ending had me crying for hours and the themes were deeply existential. Beautiful and devastating.
Thank you so much. I am reading ‘The Remains of the Day’ right now and loving it. It reminds me so far a little of ‘A Gentlemen in Moscow’ by Amor Towes whose books I love. I think I want to read the Klara and the sun book and the Giant book soon. You made them sound amazing.
I just chain reread A Pale View of Hills and The Unconsoled (my favorites) and couldn't let go of Ishiguro, so read reviews and watched interviews and his Noble talk, and then your sweet video came up! Loved it! I read The Buried Giant years ago but didn't 'know' him then, so now I will reread that too! Thank you for your thoughts. Right now I've redived into Mann's The Magic Mountain, so that will take a while haha!
I came here bc the buried giant is my favorite book, and have bittersweet feelings in that it’s also your favorite. On the one hand it’s great to hear similar appreciation, on the other it means I’ve likely read what is to be my favorite of ishiguro’s books.
Thanks for the review of Ishiguro work. It was very thoughtful. Surprised to find the similarity with my own ranking. I like “Buried Giants’ the best also. What a tragic love story… BTW, when he received the Nobel Prize in Literature, I was shocked and bit ashamed as a Japanese of his contemporary. Gee, I hadn’t read any of his novels before~! So I quickly bought every available book on Amazon then read all chronologically spending next 2 months. A marathon reading experience so unusual for me but it was worth going through. My goodness he's so good.
Thank you for watching and for your lovely comment ☺️ I am so glad to hear that The Buried Giant was your favourite also, as I know so many people didn’t rate it as highly as his other books. And wow, I can’t believe you read them all in 2 months! That must have been a great way to absorb his work! He is truly an incredible writer and story teller.
Great video! I just finished the buried giant and love it! I’ve also read Klara and the sun and never let me go. All three are top tier. Thanks for making a ranking list with recommendations
Thank you so much for this brief but illuminating guide to Ishiguro's books! I love how you picked the highlights of every book and how you described the plot. I first read his debut A Pale View of Hills and didn't find it very gripping, but I think I'll love his Clara and the Sun after your introduction cuz I'm a big fan of sci-fi😊
A lovely video. Great introduction to Ishiguro for those who may not have read his work. My favourite is The Remains of the Day, but anything he writes is pretty good to excellent. Keep up the good work.
I was looking for a guide & nice little video and i am so happy I came across yours!! Loved your energy and descriptions looking forward for the new videos 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Comprehensive and chill video. I'm torn between Klara and the Sun and Never Let Me go. Not a huge sci fi-in-literature guy but I can't put off Ishiguro any longer. I like tearjerkers so maybe, Never Let Me Go. lol
Thank you for watching! I think Never Let Me Go is still great even if you’re not a huge fan of sci-fi, as it is much more focused on the characters’ lives than the science of what’s happening? Anyway, I hope you enjoy whichever of his books you do pick up!
glad i stumbled across your video. i didn't watch your whole video as i want to read the book then come back and watch your sections. i recently read klara and the sun and just started never let me go.
Ok so I want to take a crack at defending Remains as his best. In my mind, the book is brilliant because its portrayal of fear is so complete. Stevens is fundamentally scared of life, of love, and of his own agency. His inability to make a choice becomes a choice in and of itself. To me, Ishiguro’s defining quality is his ability to blend the tragic with the absurd, and while he does this well in books like NLMG, he executes it perfectly in Remains.
I've watched/listened to this video like 10 times. Lol. I don't know why. It's comfy and informative. And I'm looking forward to more Ishiguro when I finish my current books.
Ishiguro is the best! He is also probably my favorite living authors, and 'The Remains of the Day' was the book that cemented for me wanting to become a writer.
Thank you so much for this video! I just finished Never Let Me Go, and thought about it the whole weekend. It makes me sad every time when I think about the last few lines of the book😭…….. I have read three books by him so far and that’s currently my favorite. Probably wanting to read the Buried Giant next!
Congratulations on your guide! I think you did a really good job reviewing Ishiguro's work, also your accent and enunciation is very easy to follow. But I can't make a the decision about which one to start with! So I think I'll go for Klara and the sun and Never let me go. Thanks again!
I saw these books lined up on someone's shelf, and they really caught my eye as a collection that I would certainly have. Very surprised they haven't come across my radar by now, but very excited to have him as a author to follow.
I've been paying attention to Kazuo Ishiguro since his name known from Nobel prize. Because at that time I was in college class for transnational literature, which I read international literatures translated in English. And I kinda noticed that there are some common reasonable great traits why Nobel laureates received the prize. Such as Mo Yan, Orhan Pamuk, Kenzaburo Oe. Therefore I wanted to check out any of Kazuo's novels. Because of work I didn't have much time to read in general, so I usually listened his interviews on podcast. And one day I decided to make time for it and bought The Buried Giant, because I listened his lecture on memory theme in his visit to Japan. And it was quite interesting how he delves into that theme of memory in various ways. And now you are saying that you consider The Buried Giant the best, I'm kinda relieved that I chose the right one lol. There is no such thing but the popular opinion I heard so far of his best novel, was Never Let Me Go. I hope I can get to love the novel I chose just like you did.
That sounds like such an interesting class! The Buried Giant was definitely my favourite, but Never Let Me Go is also incredible and definitely worth all of the praise it receives. Thank you for watching!
I'm so grateful you made this video because I've wanted to try an Ishiguro book for ages but had no idea where would be best to start, and I think The Buried Giant is going to be the best place for me.
I'm ashamed to say that I had not read any of Ishiguro's books until about 3 years ago when I first read The Remains of the Day when I taught it to my high school literature class. After reading that, though, I had to read them all! I'm nearly through with all of his novels -- I'm working on The Unconsoled right now and have An Artist of the Floating World to go after that. Overall I thought your ranking was good, though I would personally flip Never Let Me Go and The Buried Giant. The funny thing is, I did not expect to like The Buried Giant. I usually skip books written about the time period surrounding King Arthur because they tend to be trite and uninspired. I had hopes that I would at least not find Ishiguro's treatment boring. Boy, was I in for a surprise! I absolutely love that book and keep coming back to the story time and again in my mind because it is so intriguing and thought-provoking. I'm excited to be teaching on The Remains of the Day again, soon, and am planning to incorporate some of the themes in The Buried Giant in my lessons. I just wish I could teach an entire year on just Ishiguro's writing! Thanks for the great rundown on his books and the rationale behind your ranking.
Thank you so much for watching. I wish I had studied Ishiguro’s books back in school! That sounds so interesting to bring themes from The Buried Giant into studying The Remains of the Day. I agree that The Buried Giant is a story that lingers in the mind long after finishing it. I’m hoping to re-read it again at some point this year! Hope you enjoy The Unconsoled and An Artist of the Floating World!
This was a great video! I only discovered Ishiguro this year and have read three of his books - I have Klara ready to go as my next! I just love his understated and yet beautiful story-telling, even when tackling themes that are challenging or upsetting. I am so intrigued to read The Buried Giant as I really don't like fantasy - but I feel I have to give it a try.
The Buried Giant is the kind of fantasy that is more about the central themes than the fantasy setting. The fantasy elements help to tell the story, rather than it being an epic fantasy novel - so I think it can definitely be enjoyed by non-fantasy readers too!
I haven't read all of Ishiguro's books yet (I'm trying not to finish them too quickly!), but, like you, he's my favorite living author. My ranking so far is: 1. Never Let Me Go 2. The Buried Giant 3. Klara and the Sun 4. The Remains of the Day 5. When We Were Orphans I cant wait to read the other three and see where they fit in!
I've just discovered Ishiguro! Watched Never Let Me Go and instantly got the book and have been reading it ravenously. I'm mostly a sci-fi reader, so I'm happy to know he does have at least one other sci-fi book with Klara, but i'll try out his other stuff too, good to expand one's horizons and all that.
Just to show that we’re all different 😮 I prefer Artist to Remains, probably because I read it first and felt the second to be more of the same in a less convincing environment. My absolute favourite by far and a book I dearly loved was The Unconsoled. I think it is a masterpiece in the way it sustains the dream and yet makes the reader feel for the character. I can see its origins in Malcom Bradbury’s visitor in a foreign country in Rates of Exchange but this is turned up to 11!
That’s so interesting! I think because they are so similar, it really does depend which one you read first and grow more attached to. The Unconsoled is the weirdest yet most compelling book I’ve ever read. It’s so gripping in the strangest way!
I just finished my first Ishiguro book (NLMG) and I also bought KatS but now because I'm a big SFF guy I'm gonna have to purchase The Buried Giant. Awesome video and thanks for the recommendation.
Jen, I'm currently reading Klara and the Sun and loving it - it's also my first Ishiguro novel! (though I have seen the film for Never Let Me Go and found it so heartbreaking). Your thoughts on each of his books and your ranking of them has made me more than ever keen to read more of his writing! A wonderful analysis of a very interesting author. I'm particularly drawn by your thoughts on the Buried Giant. That's one that has always seemed so interesting to me but I've never heard people talk about it so it's exciting to hear you loved it ☺️
I’m so glad you’re loving Klara at the Sun, it really is one of my favourites! The Buried Giant is so brilliant - I think if you enjoy Klara and the Sun then it is definitely worth a try! Thank you so much for watching and your lovely comment 💛
Hi there! Thank you so much for the video...I also fell in love for ishiguro! Although my favorite is the unconsoled!...could you please advise me similar authors in your opinion?
Nice summary,I must read more Ishiguro,I only know The Buried Giant,Klara and the Sun,and,from way back, The Remains of the Day. Like you I found TBG,strange,dreamlike,and very delicate.Just like the main characters themselves it wasn't always easy to see/understand what was going on...is the book an allegorical comment on modern Britain, or a new way of looking at human relationships, or just KI's own curious take on the fantasy genre? I think it moves between all of these and more,which is why it's so hard to pin down. Definitely due for a reread!
I think you’ve put it perfectly! That’s what I love so much about Ishiguro’s books - there’s usually no clear ending or message and so the story is left lingering in my mind for ages afterwards as I try to detangle all of the different threads and potential meanings!
Thank you very much from Japan:) After reading and watching Never let me go, I have wanted to read another Ishiguro book! I really enjoyed your video 😊
Never Let Me Go is the only book I’ve read of him and boy oh boy....you’re right,the pain just hits you right in the guts.I have never felt something like this before when reading a book so far.I hate tragedy but this man is something else...The book makes you FEEL,you know.But I think quite a lot of people might find it boring
I really enjoyed The Unconsolled. The ending is so well written and the oniric atmosphere makes it such an unique reading experience. The remains of the day and Never let me go will ever be my two favourite novels though
Brave putting the Buried Giant at the top, but I totally get it and respect it. I love that book too, it ends up being a powerful statement about memory and forgetting and the human condition. I think just like people get distracted by the human cloning in Never Let Me Go, they get distracted by the dragons and what-not in the Buried Giant, and don't see that the real story is about the people and what they go through and what they need to do to carry on. You know, the human condition. Man, I need to reread the buried giant soon.
Haha, I know it’s not the popular opinion 😂 I feel like Ishiguro uses various genres to enhance the central story, rather than to tell a “fantasy story” or “sci fi story”, for example, and as a result he creates some of the most unique books!
The buried giant my favorite of his as well. It is such a great metaphor for social media (even if that wasn’t the author’s intent) and the erasure of uncomfortable history from certain quarters of the public
@@readerinareverie to be fair I’m a ethicist who specializes in the ethics of technology, so that’s the lens I view a lot of things, but I think it fits the novel really well
A Pale View of Hills made me reread the end several times, bc at first I thought it was a defected book hahaha, absolutely love it: love the style, love the Japan and its elegance. His style is beautiful
I’m a bit late to this but thank you for this video, I read never let me go for gcse english and then read the remains of the day when I was 19 and found it absolutely heartbreaking! I’d never had a book make me cry so much, and I thought I’d never love a book more than that one so I’d avoided Ishiguro’s other novels out of fear that they’d disappoint me. But what you’ve said about them has changed my mind so I’m planning to read the buried giant next!
I happen to share your unpopular opinion, I also very much adore “the buried giant”. It was the first Ishiguro novel that I stumbled upon in a second hand bookshop 3 years ago. All I can say is that fast forward to today, it is still very vivid in my memory ❤
It’s absolutely one of those books that lingers in your mind for a long time. I read it about three years ago now too, and keep wanting to re-read it at some point!
I read Pale view and Artist too long ago to give an opinion. Of the other 6, building up to number 1: The unconsoled, Orphans, Klara, Remains, Never let me go and Buried Giant. I could switch the last three almost in any order. Buried giant was a more difficult read but ended up impacted by it by the end. Remains is the easiest of the three to read and thus more likely to satisfy.
the favorite book for me is the remains of the day. The political structure contained in this book and Kazuo Ishiguro's uniquememory but narrative is the most attractive point for me.
This is my first book . An artist of the floating world. I am actually scared as it looks very deep and intellectual for me .but .I want to try...I'm intrigued which makes it important to read him.
I loved reading never let me go. Altough I accidentally bought a copy for school teachers (it was second hand online), where the letter size was extremely small and there were summarys/ analysis of the text written in normal sized letters on the edges. So, it took me a long time to read it and my eyes hurt after a view pages everytime. To whoever reads this: check what kind of copy it is before you buy the book.
Thank you so much for this great video. Can I ask if you (or anyone here) remembers whether Buried Giant contains any magic, spells, curses or things like that? I don't mind the setting of Arthurian legend, or dragons, orcs, fairies, etc... I just don't like to read stories that include magic or spells.
'The Unconsoled' felt very Kafkaesque to me, so if you like Kafka's works you would probably enjoy it. There are similar themes of absurdism, dream-like behavior, the frustrations of bureaucracy etc.
I read Klara and the sun Just because somebody gave me this book Just because they declutered and I loooved it so much even tough this is not my kind of book at all
finished the buried giant just an hour ago or less and it has me completely in a trance. i don't know if i've ever seen an ending that so effortlessly ties together its themes and plot. it hit immediately as i read the final two lines and i finally got the point of the whole novel, it recontextualized EVERYTHING so incredibly artfully. wow. how do i go to work tomorrow.
Just started reading Klara and the Sun. There's something interesting in the way he writes that I can't articulate. The first 50 pages is just the protagonist making observations and not much else but it's strangely compelling. There's definitely something beneath the surface and I can't wait to finish it
I know exactly what you mean! Ishiguro writes those types of scenes so compellingly. The Unconsoled is pretty much observations and reflections for the majority of the novel, and yet it’s so intriguing to read.
I really love the fact how she is observing like you can completely be in her shoes like humans observe. It’s not like typical novels where you have to assume how the scene looks and to me that’s what gets me hooked as soon as i can start imagining the moment.
He is also my favourite living author. I love watching his interviews and insights , he is also an eloquent speaker. One never forgets his work after reading it!!
Really good wrap up, thanks.
I spent all of Never Let Me Go frustrated because they didn’t try to break out.
Beautiful, mournful story. Really left a mark on me.
Huge Ishiguro fan from Greece here. I also consider the Buried giant as his best book. The ending had me crying for hours and the themes were deeply existential. Beautiful and devastating.
Thank you so much for watching!
I’m so glad to hear from another Buried Giant fan!
So happy I found this video!! The Buried Giant is also my favourite of his
Thank you so much for watching! The Buried Giant is a masterpiece 😍
I havent read any Kazu Ishigru books, this was so helpful to know where to start
I’m so glad that it was a helpful video! 💛☺️
I was literally just looking for my next read after finishing Klara and the Sun, so this is perfect timing!
I’m so glad! I hope you enjoy your next read, whichever that may be! ☺️
Definitely read Never Let Me Go
Thank you so much. I am reading ‘The Remains of the Day’ right now and loving it. It reminds me so far a little of ‘A Gentlemen in Moscow’ by Amor Towes whose books I love. I think I want to read the Klara and the sun book and the Giant book soon. You made them sound amazing.
Thank you so much for watching! Yes I definitely recommend Klara and the Sun and The Buried Giant. They’re both up there in my favourite books list!
I just chain reread A Pale View of Hills and The Unconsoled (my favorites) and couldn't let go of Ishiguro, so read reviews and watched interviews and his Noble talk, and then your sweet video came up! Loved it! I read The Buried Giant years ago but didn't 'know' him then, so now I will reread that too! Thank you for your thoughts. Right now I've redived into Mann's The Magic Mountain, so that will take a while haha!
I came here bc the buried giant is my favorite book, and have bittersweet feelings in that it’s also your favorite. On the one hand it’s great to hear similar appreciation, on the other it means I’ve likely read what is to be my favorite of ishiguro’s books.
Thanks for the review of Ishiguro work. It was very thoughtful. Surprised to find the similarity with my own ranking. I like “Buried Giants’ the best also. What a tragic love story…
BTW, when he received the Nobel Prize in Literature, I was shocked and bit ashamed as a Japanese of his contemporary. Gee, I hadn’t read any of his novels before~! So I quickly bought every available book on Amazon then read all chronologically spending next 2 months. A marathon reading experience so unusual for me but it was worth going through. My goodness he's so good.
Thank you for watching and for your lovely comment ☺️
I am so glad to hear that The Buried Giant was your favourite also, as I know so many people didn’t rate it as highly as his other books.
And wow, I can’t believe you read them all in 2 months! That must have been a great way to absorb his work! He is truly an incredible writer and story teller.
Great video! I just finished the buried giant and love it! I’ve also read Klara and the sun and never let me go. All three are top tier. Thanks for making a ranking list with recommendations
Thank you so much for this brief but illuminating guide to Ishiguro's books! I love how you picked the highlights of every book and how you described the plot. I first read his debut A Pale View of Hills and didn't find it very gripping, but I think I'll love his Clara and the Sun after your introduction cuz I'm a big fan of sci-fi😊
A lovely video. Great introduction to Ishiguro for those who may not have read his work. My favourite is The Remains of the Day, but anything he writes is pretty good to excellent. Keep up the good work.
I was looking for a guide & nice little video and i am so happy I came across yours!! Loved your energy and descriptions looking forward for the new videos 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Comprehensive and chill video. I'm torn between Klara and the Sun and Never Let Me go. Not a huge sci fi-in-literature guy but I can't put off Ishiguro any longer. I like tearjerkers so maybe, Never Let Me Go. lol
Thank you for watching! I think Never Let Me Go is still great even if you’re not a huge fan of sci-fi, as it is much more focused on the characters’ lives than the science of what’s happening? Anyway, I hope you enjoy whichever of his books you do pick up!
glad i stumbled across your video. i didn't watch your whole video as i want to read the book then come back and watch your sections.
i recently read klara and the sun and just started never let me go.
Thank you so much for watching! I hope you really enjoy Never Let Me Go - it was the first Ishiguro I read and it’s such a powerful and moving story!
Ok so I want to take a crack at defending Remains as his best. In my mind, the book is brilliant because its portrayal of fear is so complete. Stevens is fundamentally scared of life, of love, and of his own agency. His inability to make a choice becomes a choice in and of itself. To me, Ishiguro’s defining quality is his ability to blend the tragic with the absurd, and while he does this well in books like NLMG, he executes it perfectly in Remains.
Ishiguro is hands down my favourite author ever.
Ishiguro Kazuo,He is an author that I read with pleasure. I liked his work "Never let me go" very much. I want to read his other works as well.
I've watched/listened to this video like 10 times. Lol. I don't know why. It's comfy and informative. And I'm looking forward to more Ishiguro when I finish my current books.
Ishiguro is the best! He is also probably my favorite living authors, and 'The Remains of the Day' was the book that cemented for me wanting to become a writer.
Ageeed! How amazing that his works have given you that passion to write too!
Thank you so much for this video! I just finished Never Let Me Go, and thought about it the whole weekend. It makes me sad every time when I think about the last few lines of the book😭…….. I have read three books by him so far and that’s currently my favorite. Probably wanting to read the Buried Giant next!
This was an excellent video. I will certainly read Artist before Remains of the day!
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy both!
Congratulations on your guide! I think you did a really good job reviewing Ishiguro's work, also your accent and enunciation is very easy to follow.
But I can't make a the decision about which one to start with! So I think I'll go for Klara and the sun and Never let me go.
Thanks again!
Thanks so much for watching! I think they are both a great place to start! ☺️
I saw these books lined up on someone's shelf, and they really caught my eye as a collection that I would certainly have. Very surprised they haven't come across my radar by now, but very excited to have him as a author to follow.
Loved your choice of ranking that was indeed unexpected! Also all your reflections.
I've been paying attention to Kazuo Ishiguro since his name known from Nobel prize. Because at that time I was in college class for transnational literature, which I read international literatures translated in English. And I kinda noticed that there are some common reasonable great traits why Nobel laureates received the prize. Such as Mo Yan, Orhan Pamuk, Kenzaburo Oe. Therefore I wanted to check out any of Kazuo's novels. Because of work I didn't have much time to read in general, so I usually listened his interviews on podcast. And one day I decided to make time for it and bought The Buried Giant, because I listened his lecture on memory theme in his visit to Japan. And it was quite interesting how he delves into that theme of memory in various ways.
And now you are saying that you consider The Buried Giant the best, I'm kinda relieved that I chose the right one lol. There is no such thing but the popular opinion I heard so far of his best novel, was Never Let Me Go. I hope I can get to love the novel I chose just like you did.
That sounds like such an interesting class!
The Buried Giant was definitely my favourite, but Never Let Me Go is also incredible and definitely worth all of the praise it receives.
Thank you for watching!
I'm so grateful you made this video because I've wanted to try an Ishiguro book for ages but had no idea where would be best to start, and I think The Buried Giant is going to be the best place for me.
Thank you for watching 🧡 I’m so glad it was helpful! And I hope you enjoy The Buried Giant!
I'm ashamed to say that I had not read any of Ishiguro's books until about 3 years ago when I first read The Remains of the Day when I taught it to my high school literature class. After reading that, though, I had to read them all! I'm nearly through with all of his novels -- I'm working on The Unconsoled right now and have An Artist of the Floating World to go after that. Overall I thought your ranking was good, though I would personally flip Never Let Me Go and The Buried Giant.
The funny thing is, I did not expect to like The Buried Giant. I usually skip books written about the time period surrounding King Arthur because they tend to be trite and uninspired. I had hopes that I would at least not find Ishiguro's treatment boring. Boy, was I in for a surprise! I absolutely love that book and keep coming back to the story time and again in my mind because it is so intriguing and thought-provoking.
I'm excited to be teaching on The Remains of the Day again, soon, and am planning to incorporate some of the themes in The Buried Giant in my lessons. I just wish I could teach an entire year on just Ishiguro's writing!
Thanks for the great rundown on his books and the rationale behind your ranking.
Thank you so much for watching. I wish I had studied Ishiguro’s books back in school! That sounds so interesting to bring themes from The Buried Giant into studying The Remains of the Day. I agree that The Buried Giant is a story that lingers in the mind long after finishing it. I’m hoping to re-read it again at some point this year! Hope you enjoy The Unconsoled and An Artist of the Floating World!
This was a great video! I only discovered Ishiguro this year and have read three of his books - I have Klara ready to go as my next! I just love his understated and yet beautiful story-telling, even when tackling themes that are challenging or upsetting. I am so intrigued to read The Buried Giant as I really don't like fantasy - but I feel I have to give it a try.
The Buried Giant is the kind of fantasy that is more about the central themes than the fantasy setting. The fantasy elements help to tell the story, rather than it being an epic fantasy novel - so I think it can definitely be enjoyed by non-fantasy readers too!
I haven't read all of Ishiguro's books yet (I'm trying not to finish them too quickly!), but, like you, he's my favorite living author. My ranking so far is:
1. Never Let Me Go
2. The Buried Giant
3. Klara and the Sun
4. The Remains of the Day
5. When We Were Orphans
I cant wait to read the other three and see where they fit in!
Your list sounds very similar to mine! I hope you enjoy the rest of your Ishiguro reads. A Pale View of Hills was definitely a stand-out one for me!
I've just discovered Ishiguro! Watched Never Let Me Go and instantly got the book and have been reading it ravenously. I'm mostly a sci-fi reader, so I'm happy to know he does have at least one other sci-fi book with Klara, but i'll try out his other stuff too, good to expand one's horizons and all that.
Just to show that we’re all different 😮 I prefer Artist to Remains, probably because I read it first and felt the second to be more of the same in a less convincing environment. My absolute favourite by far and a book I dearly loved was The Unconsoled. I think it is a masterpiece in the way it sustains the dream and yet makes the reader feel for the character. I can see its origins in Malcom Bradbury’s visitor in a foreign country in Rates of Exchange but this is turned up to 11!
That’s so interesting! I think because they are so similar, it really does depend which one you read first and grow more attached to.
The Unconsoled is the weirdest yet most compelling book I’ve ever read. It’s so gripping in the strangest way!
I just finished my first Ishiguro book (NLMG) and I also bought KatS but now because I'm a big SFF guy I'm gonna have to purchase The Buried Giant. Awesome video and thanks for the recommendation.
Jen, I'm currently reading Klara and the Sun and loving it - it's also my first Ishiguro novel! (though I have seen the film for Never Let Me Go and found it so heartbreaking). Your thoughts on each of his books and your ranking of them has made me more than ever keen to read more of his writing! A wonderful analysis of a very interesting author. I'm particularly drawn by your thoughts on the Buried Giant. That's one that has always seemed so interesting to me but I've never heard people talk about it so it's exciting to hear you loved it ☺️
I’m so glad you’re loving Klara at the Sun, it really is one of my favourites! The Buried Giant is so brilliant - I think if you enjoy Klara and the Sun then it is definitely worth a try!
Thank you so much for watching and your lovely comment 💛
Hmm, I definitely should check these out
Hi there! Thank you so much for the video...I also fell in love for ishiguro! Although my favorite is the unconsoled!...could you please advise me similar authors in your opinion?
Nice summary,I must read more Ishiguro,I only know The Buried Giant,Klara and the Sun,and,from way back, The Remains of the Day.
Like you I found TBG,strange,dreamlike,and very delicate.Just like the main characters themselves it wasn't always easy to see/understand what was going on...is the book an allegorical comment on modern Britain, or a new way of looking at human relationships, or just KI's own curious take on the fantasy genre? I think it moves between all of these and more,which is why it's so hard to pin down.
Definitely due for a reread!
I think you’ve put it perfectly! That’s what I love so much about Ishiguro’s books - there’s usually no clear ending or message and so the story is left lingering in my mind for ages afterwards as I try to detangle all of the different threads and potential meanings!
Thank you very much from Japan:)
After reading and watching Never let me go, I have wanted to read another Ishiguro book!
I really enjoyed your video 😊
Thank you so much for watching! I’m so glad you found the video helpful ☺️
Never Let Me Go is the only book I’ve read of him and boy oh boy....you’re right,the pain just hits you right in the guts.I have never felt something like this before when reading a book so far.I hate tragedy but this man is something else...The book makes you FEEL,you know.But I think quite a lot of people might find it boring
I really enjoyed The Unconsolled. The ending is so well written and the oniric atmosphere makes it such an unique reading experience. The remains of the day and Never let me go will ever be my two favourite novels though
Brave putting the Buried Giant at the top, but I totally get it and respect it. I love that book too, it ends up being a powerful statement about memory and forgetting and the human condition. I think just like people get distracted by the human cloning in Never Let Me Go, they get distracted by the dragons and what-not in the Buried Giant, and don't see that the real story is about the people and what they go through and what they need to do to carry on. You know, the human condition. Man, I need to reread the buried giant soon.
Haha, I know it’s not the popular opinion 😂
I feel like Ishiguro uses various genres to enhance the central story, rather than to tell a “fantasy story” or “sci fi story”, for example, and as a result he creates some of the most unique books!
The buried giant my favorite of his as well. It is such a great metaphor for social media (even if that wasn’t the author’s intent) and the erasure of uncomfortable history from certain quarters of the public
Ooh that’s a really interesting take on it!
@@readerinareverie to be fair I’m a ethicist who specializes in the ethics of technology, so that’s the lens I view a lot of things, but I think it fits the novel really well
A Pale View of Hills made me reread the end several times, bc at first I thought it was a defected book hahaha, absolutely love it: love the style, love the Japan and its elegance. His style is beautiful
Haha, it is definitely one of those endings that makes you re-read the page to check you understood right!
Thank you so much for your video and great information !!
I’m a bit late to this but thank you for this video, I read never let me go for gcse english and then read the remains of the day when I was 19 and found it absolutely heartbreaking! I’d never had a book make me cry so much, and I thought I’d never love a book more than that one so I’d avoided Ishiguro’s other novels out of fear that they’d disappoint me. But what you’ve said about them has changed my mind so I’m planning to read the buried giant next!
I hope you enjoy The Buried Giant!
Wonderful video -- thank you!
I happen to share your unpopular opinion, I also very much adore “the buried giant”. It was the first Ishiguro novel that I stumbled upon in a second hand bookshop 3 years ago. All I can say is that fast forward to today, it is still very vivid in my memory ❤
It’s absolutely one of those books that lingers in your mind for a long time. I read it about three years ago now too, and keep wanting to re-read it at some point!
My fav book ever is the remains of the days. Also his writing is god tier level.
I read Pale view and Artist too long ago to give an opinion. Of the other 6, building up to number 1: The unconsoled, Orphans, Klara, Remains, Never let me go and Buried Giant. I could switch the last three almost in any order. Buried giant was a more difficult read but ended up impacted by it by the end. Remains is the easiest of the three to read and thus more likely to satisfy.
The buried giant is also My favourite book from Ishiguro ❤❤❤❤
the favorite book for me is the remains of the day. The political structure contained in this book and Kazuo Ishiguro's uniquememory but narrative is the most attractive point for me.
the goat Kazuo.
Thank you for this video, a wonderful exploration of his work. Subbed!
Thank you so much for watching and subscribing!
This is my first book . An artist of the floating world. I am actually scared as it looks very deep and intellectual for me .but .I want to try...I'm intrigued which makes it important to read him.
This is actually super helpful!
I’m so glad! ☺️
hey there
thank you for a wonderful video
i am a very big the unburied giant fan too
so there are at least 2 in this world
mxncb
Your video is fantastic. ❤❤❤❤
最近、カズオイシグロの本の日本語訳を読み始めました。このビデオはとても興味深い内容でした。日の名残りは、日本語でもやや難しいのですが、原作の英語も難しかったですか？個人的には、私たちが孤児だったころが面白く感じました😊
I loved reading never let me go. Altough I accidentally bought a copy for school teachers (it was second hand online), where the letter size was extremely small and there were summarys/ analysis of the text written in normal sized letters on the edges. So, it took me a long time to read it and my eyes hurt after a view pages everytime. To whoever reads this: check what kind of copy it is before you buy the book.
This is a great video
I've been a little sad since I finished all of Kazuo's works. Nothing else is satisfying in the same way.
I felt the same way! I still have his short stories to go though!
Thank you so much for this great video. Can I ask if you (or anyone here) remembers whether Buried Giant contains any magic, spells, curses or things like that? I don't mind the setting of Arthurian legend, or dragons, orcs, fairies, etc... I just don't like to read stories that include magic or spells.
From my memory, no it didn’t have magic or spells. Just the Arthurian legend style dragons and ogres and that sort of thing!
@@readerinareverie
Thank you! Sorry for the strange question, but I'm excited to give Buried Giant a try 😊
Thank you
'The Unconsoled' felt very Kafkaesque to me, so if you like Kafka's works you would probably enjoy it. There are similar themes of absurdism, dream-like behavior, the frustrations of bureaucracy etc.
I read 'Remains of the day' before 'an artist of floating world'. And exactly the same thing happened.
Amazing username
Good content. I think 'worst' was not the proper word here at your conclusion. (20.38) Maybe top 7 was better, or from good to best. Keep it up!
I read Klara and the sun Just because somebody gave me this book Just because they declutered and I loooved it so much even tough this is not my kind of book at all
controversial putting remains of the day at 5th!!
I still think it’s an incredible book, which I guess just goes to show how much I loved the other 4!
Who cares about what you think?
Me 🙋♀️
Me 🙋🏼♂️