The Remains of the Day
Registered by alaleon on 12/23/2006
5 journalers for this copy...
Ostensibly, The Remains of the Day, is a simple story. Like its predecessor, An Artist of the Floating World, it is written in the form of a diary, but whereas the latter's narration is spread over two years, the formers is spread over 6 days in July 1956.
It is a novel that concerns itself with a butler's attempts to "break out of the house, out of himself, and out of his physical and psychical routine." The many journeys that the butler "undertakes" are in fact subsidiary to the ultimate journey of "self discovery" that will hopefully allow him to overcome his sexual and political repression.
Stevens the butler, under the "professional motive" of restaffing Darlington Hall, "undertakes an "expedition" to the West Country in order to see Miss Kenton whom he has not seen in over two decades. The entire novel, which begins with the sentence "It seems increasingly likely that I really will undertake the expedition that has been preoccupying my imagination now for some days," is significant as it represents Stevens attempt to change his life after years of dissatisfied service. Indeed, the title of the novel is multi-textured. Adam Parkes suggests, "The Remains of the day is what is left of Stevens life: One's final years." However the real significance of the title can be found in the word "day." This refers to the rich history of Darlington Hall and all who visited it; a time when Lord Darlington's respect was at its height. However the irony in Ishiguro's metaphor is that the more Stevens tries to persuade the reader that his days have been well spent, the less inclined we are to believe him. What is really left of the day is a shadow of a former man a "ruin or corpse."
It is a novel that concerns itself with a butler's attempts to "break out of the house, out of himself, and out of his physical and psychical routine." The many journeys that the butler "undertakes" are in fact subsidiary to the ultimate journey of "self discovery" that will hopefully allow him to overcome his sexual and political repression.
Stevens the butler, under the "professional motive" of restaffing Darlington Hall, "undertakes an "expedition" to the West Country in order to see Miss Kenton whom he has not seen in over two decades. The entire novel, which begins with the sentence "It seems increasingly likely that I really will undertake the expedition that has been preoccupying my imagination now for some days," is significant as it represents Stevens attempt to change his life after years of dissatisfied service. Indeed, the title of the novel is multi-textured. Adam Parkes suggests, "The Remains of the day is what is left of Stevens life: One's final years." However the real significance of the title can be found in the word "day." This refers to the rich history of Darlington Hall and all who visited it; a time when Lord Darlington's respect was at its height. However the irony in Ishiguro's metaphor is that the more Stevens tries to persuade the reader that his days have been well spent, the less inclined we are to believe him. What is really left of the day is a shadow of a former man a "ruin or corpse."
I caught this book today at the bookcrossing event. Thank you! I had fun today, and I got to release four books!
I finally read this book after all these years. I was hoping that Mr. Stevens could break out of the role he had played his whole life, that of "the gentleman's gentleman." I found the book an enjoyable read.
Thanks so much for your donation rhythmbiscuit!
This book is now part of the 1001-library. If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the 1001-library bookshelf.
thank you for putting this book in my Little Free Library #2060 (littlefreelibrary.org)
This is a wonderful addition to the library. It is a great book.
This is a wonderful addition to the library. It is a great book.
I think it will be a great book