Never Let Me Go

by Kazuo Ishiguru | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0571224121 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Alectoness of Geelong, Victoria Australia on 8/28/2005
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
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11 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Alectoness from Geelong, Victoria Australia on Sunday, August 28, 2005
Bought this copy to share with other participants in Fleebo's Booker 2005 Longlist Challenge!.

Ring Order

If you're not involved in the challenge but want to join this ring, you're most welcome to send me a PM. I'll add you to the list after the challenge participants and before the book returns to me here in NZ.

* Alectoness - NZ
* puppymummy - AU
* Viola7 - AU
* xoddam - AU
* star-light - AU
* Fleebo - AU <= Currently here.
* woosang - AU
* goodthinkingmax - AU
* leeny37 - AU
* fushmush - AU
* LizzieM - AU
* Sherlockfan - NZ
* Alectoness - NZ

Greetings bookring participants,

Can you please:

* Journal when you’ve received the book (so we know it’s not lost).
* Journal when you’ve finished the book (so we know what you thought).
* PM the person whose name appears next on the list for their mailing address and send them the book! (If you're the last name on the list, PM me for my address.) And don't forget to make another journal entry so we know it's on its way to the next ring participant!

Also, if you'd like, please “autograph” the back cover of the book with your screen name, city, and state/country, so whoever “catches” this book later can learn a little about its history, even if he or she chooses not to visit the Book Crossing site.

Cheers,
Alectoness

Journal Entry 2 by Alectoness from Geelong, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Never Let Me Go was one of those wonderful books, along the lines of 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale, that makes me contemplate the direction that our society's going, that makes me think "what if?"

Kathy H, the narrator made everything sound so simple, so calm, which belied the increasing tension I felt about her fate and the fate of all the students of Hailsham. I found myself wanting to keep reading, to find out the details, the truth and to uncover the "purpose" of the children.

The relationships between Tommy, Ruth, Kathy and the other characters seemed very real to me as well. While I couldn't relate to their situation, I could definitely empathise with their emotions.

I think Ishiguro has done well here to place a narrative around a social issue, without it sounding preachy or being bogged down by facts. I'll definitely be looking out for his other books.

Released 18 yrs ago (9/4/2005 UTC) at To A Fellow BookCrosser in Post office, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

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In the mail today to puppymummy in Victoria. Should arrive in about 3-5 days.

Note: I selected the wrong location option. This was a book ring release rather than a book relay one.

Journal Entry 4 by puppymummy from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Received safely in Melbourne, along with FOUR OTHER BOOKRINGS. I will read as fast as I can, but I guess it might be a couple of weeks!

Journal Entry 5 by puppymummy from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Sunday, October 30, 2005
This was a wonderful book. I agree totally with the 'Handmaid's Tale' comparison, that is exactly what I was thinking as well. The book was so well written that I really enjoyed the slow unveiing of the twist - it was obvious that something was coming but you felt absolutely no need to rush as the story was still so great to read. I did think that Ruth is the sort of friend you would much prefer not to have.
I will be mailing this in the next few days, it took me quicker than I thought it would so I don't have an address yet.

Journal Entry 6 by puppymummy at on Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Released 18 yrs ago (11/1/2005 UTC) at

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Sent to Viola7 as part of a bookring.

Journal Entry 7 by Viola7 from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Sunday, November 20, 2005
I found the writer's style very tedious so I didn't go on with this book. I lent it to my mother who thought it was very clever but she also thought that the writing was very uninteresting.

I'll send this on to xoddam now.

Journal Entry 8 by xoddam from Springwood, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, November 29, 2005
This arrived safely six days ago, sorry for not journaling right away.

I won't be able to start reading it for a little while, I subscribed to too
many bookrings. Anyone anxious about the book's whereabouts (or desperate to
read it), just PM me.

Journal Entry 9 by xoddam from Springwood, New South Wales Australia on Monday, December 12, 2005
I want to get hold of the title song now, the classroom-door scene made me weepy.

Interesting that it made other readers think of The Handmaid's Tale, as it put me very much in mind of Atwood's more recent novel Oryx and Crake. It's a gentle, chilling, contemporary (in the sense of parallel-history) dystopia, exploring the minds of some very ordinary people in a very peculiar (and, thank goodness, implausible) situation, rather than a clarion warning bell like the two Atwood novels which, while they do paint the worst possible picture, describe worlds which are real risks in front of us.

What I found most peculiar was the resignation. Despite their keen sense of dignity, their passionate rage, their hope-beyond-all-hope, and despite their exposure to literature, advertising, even newspapers, and their freedom of movement as adults, the 'students' never once hint at rebellion against their situation. I wanted to slap them! I can only assume that their placidity, like their infertility, is a deliberate alteration; perhaps that explains why they're so easily manipulated even amongst themselves.

(You're *so* right, I wouldn't want a friend like Ruth even as an enemy!)

Have PMed star-light, if (s)he's in a hurry I'll send it right away, otherwise I'll hang on to it until I've finished This Thing of Darkness and Saturday which are following a similar route.

Journal Entry 10 by xoddam from Springwood, New South Wales Australia on Monday, January 9, 2006
on its way to star-light at last.

Journal Entry 11 by star-light from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Thursday, January 12, 2006
Received today. It will probably be a few weeks before I get to it but I'm going to put this one near the top of my TBR.

Journal Entry 12 by star-light from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Monday, February 27, 2006
This was the sixth book I read for the Booker Longlist challenge and my favourite so far. The way things were casually mentioned or alluded to, but not fully explained until later made this a real page turner for me. I had to keep reading to find out was was going on. I loved the way it was written – the simple language and very matter-of-fact voice of the narrator demonstrated how unquestioning the 'students' were of their fate. They even expressed a desire to fulfil their destiny to the best of their ability.

I also puzzled over why they never hint at rebellion. What stopped them from getting a normal job and going into hiding by blending in with the ‘normals’ once they left Halisham? What would have happened if they defied the notice for a donation?

I’ve been trying to decide if I can see the events described in this book actually occurring in our world. I think what’s depicted in the book is extreme, but recent scientific progress makes me think some form of this is possible. I hope I'm wrong!

I'm going to hang on to this until I finish Saturday, then post both to Fleebo at once.

Journal Entry 13 by star-light from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Fleebo is swamped with books right now and has asked to be skipped, so this is off to woosang instead.

Journal Entry 14 by woosang from Campbelltown, New South Wales Australia on Friday, March 17, 2006
A rather disturbing Book. the issues behind the story are quiet horrible and are difficult to thuink about. The story itself was written simply, as Kathy H has no history and no real contact with the real world, this refects that but it makes the story flat and boring. I was not emtionally moved by the characters, but it was interesting that the stages were moved on to by voluteering. No-one was pushed but the clones, quietly accepted their lives as they have been laid out for them.

The book didn't impress me, but it was by far the best one I have read out of the Booker books. I do think that If this Thing of Darkness was a little thinner, it would have had a beter chance than this book.

The saving grace of this book is the issues behind the story.

I am wading through one of his other books, and I am finding this other book just a tedious. If you like his writing style read his others, if you don't then stop at this book, which is his best.

Will post to Goodthinking max when I get a chance to read Saturday. I have a few ahead so It won't be to soon.

Journal Entry 15 by woosang at Controlled Release in Picton, New South Wales Australia on Friday, April 7, 2006

Released 17 yrs ago (4/7/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in Picton, New South Wales Australia

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Posting this week to Goodthinkingmax.

Journal Entry 16 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Monday, April 10, 2006
Thank you woosang for the great parcel of books, including this one. Luckily I am about to start 2 weeks of holidays so will be able to read this soon.

Journal Entry 17 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, April 18, 2006
I read this in one sitting and found the writing fairly uninspiring which was a pity because the plot interested me enormously. The attempt to emphasise Kathy's lack of insight beyond her own world, by a number of comments such as "I don't know if you had 'collections' where you were." (p.35) annoyed me thoroughly! I didn't feel the build up to the climax that some other readers did or find the twist unexpected. The characters seemed very distant and emotionless despite the words trying to tell me otherwise. Definitely disturbing and depressing, Hailsham is no Hogwarts! The novel will not haunt me now that I've put it down, anymore than watching the very unaffecting The Island with Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson.

Fleebo was skipped for this book when she was swamped but is ready for it now and I will pass it on soon.

Journal Entry 18 by Fleebo on Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Received from goodthinkingmax. Thanks very much... this book looks rather more popular than many of the other longlisted titles.

Journal Entry 19 by Fleebo on Monday, May 15, 2006
I had expected this book to be stuffy, given that the author wrote The Remains of the Day (which I haven't read, truth be told) but happily I was wrong. I really enjoyed this book, although it made me sad. I appreciated the direct style, after so many long-winded stories recently. However, I agree with everyone who complained about the lack of fight put up by the characters. I simply can't comprehend it, nor can I comprehend how the wider public could ignore what was going on, when hundreds of these people were wandering among them. If they'd all been safely locked away (like in The Island - a story similar only in concept) it would be all too easy to believe the public attitude. People can easily pretend anything at all as long as they aren't confronted directly with the evidence against it.
Anyway, The Handmaid's Tale has also been mentioned by other people in relation to this book, and it crossed my mind while I was reading, too - a nasty future which is scarily plausible and unpleasantly close.
I'll be contacting leeny37 to pass this on straight away.

Journal Entry 20 by leeny37 from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Saturday, May 20, 2006
I received this yesterday but didn't get the chance to journal it till today. I have been told that Kazuo Ishiguro is a fantastic writer and I look forward to reading his work. Thanks for including me in this bookring and I will try to send it on as soon as I can.

Journal Entry 21 by leeny37 from Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Just like the other journallers before me, I too had The Handmaid's Tale in my mind while I was reading this. The slow unveiling of the plot did frustrate me because I'm just the kind of person who has to know exactly what's going on at that point in time, but I guess that was what kept me so engrossed even with the simple narrative. As those before have mentioned, it is quite puzzling how an entire community of people was so willing to accept their fates, without even trying to resist the unfair future pre-determined for them. While there must be some kind of monitoring, it didn't feel like they were kept under lock and key and seemed like they had a bit of freedom, surely there was opportunity to escape? Definitely a scary depiction of the future and hopefully, one that remains in the realm of imagination. Thanks Alectoness for sharing, I will pass it on to fushmush asap.

RELEASE NOTES:

Oops, apologies for the delay! This is heading out to fushmush in a prepaid Express Post satchel, tracking #: MV3985110.

Journal Entry 23 by fushmush from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Received in the mail today... by express post! I feel special :D

Journal Entry 24 by fushmush from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, July 9, 2006
I very much enjoyed my experience with this book.

I have a very short attention span so I was surprised that the slow pace didn't frustrate me. He deftly managed to keep my attention engaged.

I found it to be a very distressing idea, the farming children for spare parts. Their resignation to their future was disturbing and I too was wondering why they didn't just escape their fate. I kept thinking "Run Away! Run Away!"(Did they look different to everyone else? Did they have branding of some sorts?).

Kathy does talk about how they are manipulated so that concepts are introduced by rumour before they are properly informed. This means that by the time they are actually told they are going to have to "donate" they had already accepted the idea. I think there is one profound scene where Miss Lucy is very upset when teaching them about the Holocaust and the students ask "why didn't they just escape, were the fences were electrified?".

And I loved Remains of the Day; it was a beautiful book! So there is a positive recommendation for you :D

Journal Entry 25 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Thursday, August 17, 2006
Can't be sure when this book arrived in my mail box - we've been away o/seas and a kind friend was clearing the box. We collected a couple of cartons of all sorts of boring and uninteresting material so it was great to have this book there as well.
Decided not to read the other journal entries before starting this as I prefer to read the entries after I've read a book and see how my opinion agrees with others.
Thanks for including me in this ring.

Journal Entry 26 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, August 20, 2006
My thoughts on this thoroughly enjoyble book echo elements of other journallers. Being a person of strong opinions I did find it hard to understand why the donors accepted their status so willingly and didn't just take off and disappear. Reluctantly have to accept that their concept of freewill was somehow tampered with in the same way as their ability to breed.

It is a truly frightening concept to consider - I kept thinking of some of the genuine horror stories one reads in the press of people selling their organs for cash. Freewill certainly enacted with desperation in those situations.

Ruth did not appeal to me. Tommy did, and so did Kathy. I found the writing style interesting, smooth and engaging.

Alectoness, do you still want it returned to you? and if so please just confirm your address to me. Thanks.

Journal Entry 27 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, August 25, 2006
Posted to Alectoness last week to her Auckland address to be one less item for her to carry when she shifts back home next week.

I so enjoyed taking part in this BookCircle.

Journal Entry 28 by Alectoness from Geelong, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, September 6, 2006
This book was waiting for me when I arrived back in Auckland - thanks sherlockfan and all previous readers for making it such a successful ring. I'm passing it on to Mum to read now.

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