Magnifying Memories: Kazuo Ishiguro's When We Were Orphans
Read the article this discussion is about
- Ireland
- pamela_saint
-
Suzanne Hill
- pamela_saint
- themos100
- pamela_saint
- rest
- pamela_saint
This archived discussion is "read only".
For the corresponding "live" discussions, post in the active topic forum here.
» pamela_saint - Re: Review
In response to message posted by Ireland:Thanks, Irene. What a lovely compliment!
-- posted by pamela_saint
»
Suzanne Hill
- Thanks
-Suzanne
-- posted by Suzanne Hill
» pamela_saint - Re: Thanks
In response to message posted by burgyndie:Hi Suzanne,
If you read the novel, I'd love to hear what you think of it. I rarely think of books in terms of movies, but as I was reading Orphans, I couldn't help but "watch" the story unfold in my mind, almost like a film noir--except in color!
-Pamela
-- posted by pamela_saint
» themos100 - More like The Unconsoled than the Remains of the Day
I read When we were Orphans when it was published a couple of years ago, and then recently when it was selected by my reading group as the "July" book. Interestingly enough the group gave it a very mixed reception. Our host is a retired lady who was actually living in Shanhai during the Second World War and was interned with her parents in a Japanese POW camp. She told us that Ishiguro's Shanghai is realistic, but also fantastic, that its anchored in the geography of the city but somehow is utterly unlike the Shanghai of that period.To me, the book is "fantasy" - far more like The Unconsoled than Ishiguro's more conventional books. There are many scenes which have that bizarre dream-like quality, and indeed the very profession of "detective" has never existed other than in the police force - sure, there have been private investigators but certainly no "detective" with the status and social acceptability of Philip. It reminded me of Kafka's The Castle in fact, where the main character (whose name I forget) finds himself negotiating his way through a mysterious town both grounded in reality but also rather like a bad dream after a heavy meal.
Some members of our group found this very hard to cope with and got frustrated with the unreality of many of the scenes. Having read Unconsoled several times (I love it! ), I greatly enjoyed Orphans and it made me hope that Ishiguro continues his unique writing form in his next novel.
Sorry to go on a bit, but I love this book!
-- posted by themos100
» pamela_saint - Re: More like The Unconsoled than the Remains of the Day
In response to message posted by themos100:Hi Tom,
I picked up this book not knowing what to expect, for previously, I had not read anything by Ishiguro. But, like you, I loved the book. I think the fantastical and the dream-like qualities are subtle enough that they underscore the narrator's denial and self-delusion. Ishiguro achieves a fine balancing act between reality and fantasy, and he makes it work without making the book seem too cartoonish, for lack of a better description.
Thanks for visiting. I always like to hear how others read the same text; it's gratifying and enlightening to compare notes!
-- posted by pamela_saint
» rest - WWII
I think A pale view of hills was ishiguro's best work. And I liked Unconsoled better than When we were Orphans. I sort of think of When we were Orphans as Unconsoled with a climax at the end. Ishiguro is changing his style and experimenting but there are themes that he has that he can't shake off. I agree, the stuff that Ishiguro writes is like something unfolding that you "see". That's how I remember his books. Those strands of time, those bittersweet moments that are frozen. All his books have it. When Banks as a kid is forced to decide between his mother and "uncle" and his father that one moment comes to mind. They make us remember our own childhood and past because we all have them. Those random moments that we remember for years and years although we can't really say why. But memory is not perfect. And maybe we do know why we remember those memories but don't want to admit it to ourselves.I've read all of ishiguro's work but I can't say i've really liked anything other than a pale view of hills. But i'll probably read the next book he writes as soon as i can get a copy. Weird huh?
-- posted by rest
» pamela_saint - Re: WWII
In response to message posted by rest:I find myself attracted similarly to certain authors. I continue to read their work, even though I cannot claim them to be among my favorites. I suppose I like watching how they experiment or move off in different directions.
Thanks for your comments.
-- posted by pamela_saint
Please follow the guidelines set forth in the Suite101 Posting Etiquette when adding to the discussion.