The Remains of the day

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Call Number: Adult Book / Fiction / General / Ishiguro, Kazuo, Fiction / Ishiguro, Kazuo
On Shelf At: Malletts Creek Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Ishiguro, Kazuo	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Ishiguro, Kazuo	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fiction / Ishiguro, Kazuo	4-week checkout	Due 04-09-2026

"Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain by Faber and Faber Ltd., London, and in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., in 1989"--Title page verso.
The novel's narrator, Stevens, is a perfect English butler who tries to give his narrow existence form and meaning through the self-effacing, almost mystical practice of his profession. In a career that spans the second World War, Stevens is oblivious of the real life that goes on around him -- oblivious, for instance, of the fact that his aristocrat employer is a Nazi sympathizer. Still, there are even larger matters at stake in this heartbreaking, pitch-perfect novel -- namely, Stevens' own ability to allow some bit of life-affirming love into his tightly repressed existence.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Remains of the Day submitted by unknown on July 20, 2014, 8:49pm The book deals with a man on his journey through England to meet an old co-worker. He is a Butler coming to grips with the inevitable fall of the british aristocracy following the golden age of Edwardian England. The story is well-paced and full of beautiful imagery.

One of Ishiguro's Best Works submitted by lec.dank on June 17, 2016, 2:42pm Hard to get into, but brilliant.

If you enjoyed Downton Abbey - you will love this! submitted by ssmyth on June 29, 2017, 9:13pm A wonderfully written book that captures the life of an older Butler in a time when the large estates are no more.

Starts slow, but worth the effort! submitted by izzy42 on August 10, 2020, 11:13pm The writing is understated yet poignant as the protagonist struggles to come to terms with his own repression and what he suspects may have been a wasted life.

Found it very well written submitted by booksandhibernation on July 9, 2024, 2:58pm I went into the book without knowing much, and came away astonished by the writing. Ishiguro really aces the character and language here. The comedic breaks were welcomed in an otherwise grim story set in the times of war.

Still among my most favorite books submitted by CAH on July 2, 2025, 1:00pm The writing beautifully captures the journey of the main character as he comes to terms with his lifelong profession becoming obsolete, commitment to his profession, and the aching realization of the sacrifices he made along the way.

Ishiguro is a master! submitted by 21621031390949 on July 10, 2025, 3:13pm Ishiguro is a master. Each of his books have such different subject matter and yet one can trace through all of them his unique style of storytelling. He creates a mood, an atmosphere, builds his characters, and then reveals the story and full context bit by bit. I love it. This book is a classic about the very formal and constricted life of a particular English butler. It's a bit slow and tedious, which is all part of the story, but is what causes me to give it just 4 not 5 stars.

A classic for a reason submitted by rshah on July 14, 2025, 8:43am Ishiguro's writing is brilliant as always and the story of a butler reflecting on his life is engrossing. Ishiguro's fascination with memory makes this an interesting dive into a time once larger British estates no longer exist and reflecting on the times when they did.