Group Read 2: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro Part 1

I'm just starting the thread for our second group read (The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro). We have about a week before we start discussing, but some people read faster than others so if you're through the first half, feel free to start a discussion and others will join as they catch up!

For those who don't know, I think we decided to split the book up in two parts to avoid spoilers. I figure the first half could be the beginning to Day Three: Morning - that seems to be about the halfway point in my book - and the second part of the group read can be the last half of the book. Each part should only need a week to get through, so two weeks total for the group read? Does this sound good to everyone?

And please, any that want to, feel free to join in!

Thanks so much for setting it up and organizing it. I am ready to go get my book out now! :)
--BJ

I've got my book, and have started reading (I had to bring my first copy back to the library--it REEKED of cigarette smoke). This copy smells all nice-old-library-book-ish.

This should be a good group read!

Karen

I finished the first part today. I just read it straight through. I find the story compelling. The effort to banter. The relationship with his father. The dignity of the butler.
--BJ

BJ, I agree with you. The story is compelling. I'm only in Day 2, but it's going quickly.

I am struck by how membership in a profession (of butler) is such an overriding and powerful thing to the narrator. I have felt that way at times in regard to the groups of which I've been a member (student, library worker, computer programmer) but not to that extent.

I'm so glad that Mr. Stevens (I think that's his name) worked up the courage to go on his roadtrip. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Karen

It's on the "must read" list this weekend. Can't wait.

Ok my thoughts on reaching day 3....

I'm liking this, it appeals to my Anglophile leanings.

I'm enjoying the sense of duty, the stoicism, the repressiveness, the attempts at witticisms.

Steven's needs to learn that humour........needs.......timing.....

I have no idea where this is going (I haven't seen the movie). Is this a love story? Must keep reading!

I'm on the morning of Day 2. I agree with a lot of the comments already posted.

Mr. Stevens is a great main character and having the first person point of view, through his eyes, really let's me experience the intricate, borderline obsessive view he has about every aspect of his position. The writing is very proper and elegant to read, again, reflecting the character.

It makes me wonder how Ishiguro prepared to write this book. Did he actually interviewed Old English butlers? Because I really feel like this characters knows all of the aspects of a long lost profession.

The discussion of dignity and the example of Stevens' father shaming the drunks in the car was one of my favorite parts, as well as the history of Stevens and his father. The aspects of his personality that make Stevens dignified and respectable, the traits I admire most about him, are also those traits that strangle his emotional connections with his father and, it appears, whatever feelings he has in his love/hate relationship with Miss Kenton.

I also enjoyed the scenes where Stevens get stuck explaining sexual relations to Mr. Cardinal. Also, the internal debate on banter was very funny -- Stevens reminds me of a robot trying to logical analyze human emotions. Great stuff.

-- M1001

I've actually been finished with part one for a few days now but with school and all, I keep forgetting to post my thoughts on it :P

So far, I'm really enjoying the book. I thought, at first, that it would be a real bore but somewhere in the first fifty pages or so, I became hooked.

The death of Stevens Senior struck me particularly hard (I don't know how others were affected by it). I could actually feel the repressed grief Stevens was experiencing, even though he never mentioned it. You just knew he was working so hard for all the people at the conference to keep himself under control, which is essentially what his job is all about. Throughout the entire scene, I was crying.

Did anyone else experience this or was I just being my normal, overemotional female self? (let's just say this isn't the first time I've cried while read a book...)

RebeccaAnn- no, you're not overly emotional. I think that that's the most gripping and heartbreaking part of the book- everything that Stevens TRIES to tell the reader about his boss and his greif and his heartbreak, but can't because he's so...butler-ish.

I agree. It's one of the most powerful scenes in the novel. He is crying and he doesn't even know it. He has to have others tell him there are tears on his face.

That's good writing.

-- M1001

Yup, I'm with the weepers. I felt so frustrated, like I wanted to grab Stephens by the shoulders and tell him to go to his father.

I think (I hope) this might have been a regretted incident in Stephens's life.

I just got the movie version of "Remains" from the library. Saving it for a treat after work tonight, perhaps.

Karen