Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro & Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Never Let Me Go (unfortunately with a movie based cover) seems to be a blogger favorite and thus far I am loving it. I only read the first few pages of Seraphina last night, after seeing several bloggers raving about it. I had the Netgalley copy of it waiting to be read for some time, and I cannot wait to dive in properly.
I bought “When we were Orphans” by Kazuo Ishiguro after finding out he’s Malcolm Bradbury alumni. I really can’t wait to read it.
Do you plan on watching the movie after reading the book?
I hadn’t considered watching the movie yet. Having just finished the book, I’m not sure how the book would translated to film, really. And if it was done well, it would still be quite a sad movie, I’m sure. But I admit I am curious. So perhaps some day?
I was just reading about Seraphina via the Book Smugglers and just added it to my looooong wishlist. It sounds fascinating and made me think I really have to start Temeraire….
I’m glad to hear I’m not the oly one with an impossibly long wishlist
I had not heard of Temeraire before, I googled it and it appears to be a series? I guess I had better add it to the “to investigate” list.
Love Ishiguro’s work, and this is probably up for a reread at some point soon
Which title would you recommend I read after this one, Tony?
I LOVED Never Let Me Go the book but the movie I found very boring. I hope you’ll like the book too. The other book I haven’t heard of… I’m sure I’ll see more about it on the blogs soon.
I finished it late last night and I think I may safely say I loved it too. I’m not sure if it would translate well to film, but I doubt I can resist watching it.
I did both the book and the movie (movie second) and I found the movie even more depressing than the book! maybe because it made visual all the heartbreak…
So the heartbreak translates well to screen? Because the book is written as a sort of contemplation of previous years I wondered how it might work out on screen. I can imagine it being depressing though.. I’ll have to watch it when I have the time to watch something cheerful and distracting afterwards.
I can’t say how the movie would have been for me had I NOT read the book, although my husband watched with me, and he had not read it, and he found it depressing as well!
I loved the book and thought the movie was well-done. How’s that for one more varied opinion!
I’m glad to hear you thought the movie was well done. It must have been quite hard to live up to the book. I think after all these comments comparing book and movie, I had better watch it too. I’m kind of hesitant since it’s bound to leave me heartbroken all over again.
Still waiting to see the movie of Never Let Me Go but found the book very disturbing. After scientists have cloned sheep, it seems all too possible a future. Despite its publicity I hadn’t expected such a sci-fi sort of story.
It is a very disturbing book, I agree. I finished it at 1:10 am last night and couldn’t help but dream about it.
I think Never Let Me Go is the most remarkable book I have ever read. Ishiguro’s ability to lull the reader into accepting that the situation about which he is writing is perfectly normal simply by his majestic use of language is perfection.
I think you pinpoint one of the books strongest assets. It’s quite disturbing how everyone in the book assumes what is happening is normal. I have read other dystopian books but haven’t seen many execute that part of a dystopian world so well.
I started Never Let Me Go a few months ago and laid it aside (a time issue). Need to get back to it as I was really enjoying it. Pretty e-reader, by the way.
You should finish it one day (though following your blogs tagline: do pressure
). Thanks, it’s an old version of the small Sony Reader. Two years ago it was the only one widely available in the Netherlands. I might have chosen differently had I bought one now, but it works well enough. Plus, it’s pink. And I find it difficult to resist buying things in pink even though I’m not your typical “pink and princesses” kind of girl, and never really was.
Seraphina looks like something that I would also like, so I will be eager to hear what you think. I haven’t bought any new additions in the past few weeks, so this one is going on my list for the end of the week. Thanks for sharing your reads with us today!
I’m still only at page 20 of Seraphina (I stayed up late to finish Never Let Me Go and thus fell asleep while reading Seraphina, not because it is a boring book, because it isn’t). I’m still looking forward to starting it properly.
I own Never Let Me Go, which I have not read, nor seen in film. As you said, though, it does seem to be a blogger favorite. I think I should read it for my own Japanese Literature Challenge 6 (which you’re so welcome to join should you wish. Only one book required so this would do it.
http://www.japlit6challenge.blogspot.com
Of course, there’s no need to join whatsoever, I’ll still love reading you’re posts no matter what. xo
I contemplating joining the Japanese Lit Challenge and feature this book, but I wasn’t sure if Ishiguro counted as he moved to England at a very early age, I think? Anyway, now that you have mentioned I might, I’ll do so
(and I’ll even try to fit in one more book – not promising anything besides that because I tend to fail at any challenge I set myself).
I am still to have read anything by Kazuo Ishiguro…I really get the sense I’m missing out. I do have the 2010 adaptation of Never Let Me Go recorded just not got round to watching it yet.
I loved this book. I’ve also read Artist in a Floating World which I would highly recommend.