| Event Name: | Japan Society Book Club: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro |
| Description: | The Remains of the Day (1989) is Kazuo Ishiguro’s third published novel and was awarded the ‘Man Booker Prize for Fiction’ in 1989. The book was adapted into the 1993 Merchant & Ivory film which starred Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.
Written from the first person perspective of Stevens, the aging butler of Darlington Hall, Ishiguro tells a story of dignity, loyalty, memory and politics. Upon its release Susan Chira of the New York Times called it ‘a dream of a book: a beguiling comedy of manners that evolves almost magically into a profound and heart-rending study of personality, class and culture.’
Kazuo Ishiguro is a Japanese British novelist. Nominated for the Man Booker Prize four times, his other most celebrated novels are Never Let Me Go, The Unconsoled and An Artist of the Floating World. In speaking about his work Mr Ishiguro has commented: ‘What I’m interested in is not the actual fact that my characters have done things they later regret. I’m interested in how they come to terms with it. On the one hand there is a need for honesty, on the other hand a need to deceive themselves - to preserve a sense of dignity, some sort of self-respect. What I want to suggest is that some sort of dignity and self-respect does come from that sort of honesty.’
The book club is held on the second Monday of the month. There is no restriction on the nationality of the authors read, but books should be available in translation in both Japanese and English. The discussion is conducted mainly in English, but you can choose the language in which you read the book. The intention is simple: to explore the themes of the book, express personal opinions on the style and content, discuss how the book has changed (or not) in translation and to have a relaxed discussion with others who have similar interests.
Please email the office if you would like to attend. |
| Type of Event: | Literary Events - Book Launch - Readings |
| Event Agenda: | Free for Japan Society Members |
| Event Location: | 5th View |
| Event City: | London |
| Type of Venue: | Restaurant - Cafe |
| Station/Stop: | |
| Directions: | |
| Event Start Date | 02-Apr-12 |