I'm really not sure what to make of this book. I definately need to BookCross it just to see what other people think about it.

The main difficulty for me came from not being able to trust the narrator, Christopher Banks. He has a self-image that, I only gradually realised, is nine parts complete delusion to one part vanity. Because all the events are being seen through Banks' eyes, I found it very difficult to judge what was actually going on - not just to interpret its meaning, but to piece together the events.

The other, linked, problem is that Banks is hard to get close to. There is a certain dramatic tension involved in his search, but once it's clear that he is living in a dreamworld it is simply difficult to care. A distance from an unreliable narrator can work - particularly if other characters are more sympathetic - but it doesn't do it for me this time.

However, the writing (as you'd expect from Ishiguro) is gorgeous. It flows, it describes, it alludes, it creates a world and moves through it in an understated but elegant style. The plot is also a real page-turner, even once you realise that it's heading for ultimate disapointment. So, there are real strengths that stop me from disliking this book.

This one's going to bookfrogster - we're meeting this afternoon so I'll hand it over then. Happy reading, bookfrogster! I'll look forward to reading your review...

Received from Nell-Lu earlier in the week. Sorry for the delay in journalling! Great to meet another Edinburgh BCer. I'm really looking forward to reading this one.

Okay, completely mortified to re-discover this one still in my house when doing a bit of pre-New Year bookshelf sorting. Was convinced I'd journalled and released this one. Huge apologies Nell-Lu.
Anyway, I re-read it rather than trying to journal from memory. Interesting to look at Nell-Lu's entry after reading the book. I agree that as the book goes on you begin to wonder what planet Banks is living on. It just seemed so bizarre and naive to me that he actually thought his parents would a) still be alive and b) still be in the vicinity of his childhood home. You are never sure what is really happening, I won't give an example as don't want to spoil it for the next reader.
I've got a new reader lined up for this one.

RELEASE NOTES:

And off it goes to hawkette as a Hogmanay rabck. Happy reading!

Arrived with me today. on the other side of the world, in Melbourne, Australia! What a lucky book!
I loved two books by this author, and have had this one on my wishlist - thanks so much, bookfrogster!! What a lovely RABCK!