Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day: A Reader's Guide (Continuum Contemporaries)

This book would probably be useful in an academic setting, but it fell short for me, as someone who just wanted to get a deeper understanding of Ishiguro's wonderful novel. To give credit where it is due, I will note that this guide contained some intriguing insights, such as pointing out the only time when Stevens does not address his father in the third person. This is what I was looking for. Sadly (for me), the bulk of the book addresses academic concerns. I suppose it is somewhat interesting to look at the differing viewpoints as to whether Ishiguro should be considered a Japanese writer, but such things go on at far too great a length for a general reader.The biggest failing of this book is that it almost completely ignores Miss Kenton as a character. Stevens is the narrator, and the book is mostly about him, but Miss Kenton does provide enough fodder for analysis. Ironically, about the only treatment she gets here is a comment in the section about the movie that Emma Thompson shows us what Miss Kenton could be like, if she was allowed to live. It's too bad this guide didn't recognize the life she did demonstrate, and devote a few pages to her.

An impressive entry into the field of Reader's Guides, Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day by Adam Parkes is valuable on two levels: for the individual reader who wants to enhance his understanding of The Remains of the Day, it's like taking a Master Class; and for the book discussion group leader it's like stumbling on a gold mine of useful information.In the hundreds of books we've discussed on SeniorNet.org/books, this one stands alone as the most in-depth, challenging, and comprehensive Reader's Guide offered. The chapter on Style, Form, and Irony is worth the price of the book itself. It leaves no stone unturned and turns up some you'd never have imagined.This slim volume begins with a study of the author, moves to an analysis of the book itself, the issues and sub themes, comparative literature, the reception of the novel, some questions, a bibliography and recommended reading, and more. There's even a section on the movie Remains of the Day for comparison.This is the first book by this author in this series I have ever tried, and I would buy anything by either again: it's that good.

This volume is a most distinguished contribution to the Continuum Publishing Group's new series of studies by international scholars of important contemporary fiction. Professor Adam Parkes eschews popular academic jargon and writes in a clear, straight-forward style, giving a brilliant and succinct analysis of this many faceted book. The 90 page book will interest and inspire the general reader and, in particular, will prove an ideal tool for those teaching modern literature in universities or sixth-forms but, best of all, will send the reader back to the novel with his understanding and enjoyment enhanced.

Ich habe diese Buch in der Hoffnung bestellt, es würde Material für den Literaturunterricht liefern, also zu Charakteristik, historischem Hintergrund, Erzähltechnik, Schlüsselszenen usw. Leider erschöpft sich der Inhalt in den Punkten: The Novelist, The Novel (summary), The Novel's Reception, Remains on Film, Further Reading and Discussion Questions. Es ist insgesamt ein Aufsatz über das Buch, kaum übersichtlich strukturiert, der vielleicht als Seminararbeit akzeptabel ist, für die Schule gibt es jedoch weitaus besseres Material.

Be careful - this is a Reader's Guide, not the book itself. The description was unclear.