Pre-numbered label used for registration.

Born in early-twentieth-century Shanghai, Christopher Banks was orphaned at the age of nine after the separate disappearances of his parents. Now, more than twenty years later, he is a celebrated figure in London society; yet the investigative expertise that has garnered him fame has done little to illuminate the circumstances of his parents' alleged kidnappings. Banks travels to the seething, labyrinthine city of his memory in hopes of solving the mystery of his own, painful past, only to find that war is ravaging Shanghai beyond recognition,and that his own recollections are proving as difficult to trust as the people around him.

Acquired through Freecycle. I needed an author beginning with I to complete the new author A-Z challenge, so this is it!

This was the first book I have read by this acclaimed writer, but it just didn't capture my attention at all. The beginning was easier to follow, but as it went on I found it hard to concentrate. The sentences are short and the language is simple. But lacking dialogue it remains dull, and I was unable to visualize the characters as there was very little description.

I shan't be in a hurry to read anything else by Ishiguro.

Offered in a live bookswap, won by MissBagpuss.

Update: posted second class on 2/10.

waiting for me when i get home, with a great postcard inside too.

thanks for sending it, and sorry it took a while to journal its safe arrival