The Remains of the Day

by Kazuo Ishiguro | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0679731725 Global Overview for this book
Registered by millennialmyth of Mankato, Minnesota USA on 12/15/2007
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This book is in the wild! This Book is Currently in the Wild!
3 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by millennialmyth from Mankato, Minnesota USA on Saturday, December 15, 2007

Journal Entry 2 by millennialmyth from Mankato, Minnesota USA on Monday, December 17, 2007
On it's way by post to Winnipeg Bookcrossing Zone!

Released 16 yrs ago (1/8/2008 UTC) at Winnipeg Official Bookcrossing Zone-Le Garage Cafe in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This book will be delivered to the shelf in the back of the cafe on Tuesday, during our Winnipeg Bookcrossers meeting at 166 Provencher Boulevard.

Come and join us!

Journal Entry 4 by wingwinnipegobczwing from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Saturday, January 5, 2008
I love to have good short books on my shelf millenialmyth! You did a great job choosing some novels for me :)

They will be appreciated by all on Tuesday!

Journal Entry 5 by gypsysmom from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Well, this didn't stay on the shelf for too long. I have heard so much about this book that I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to take it when day-zee showed it to us at the meet-up tonight. Thanks millenialmyth for your generous donation to our OBCZ.

Journal Entry 6 by gypsysmom from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Saturday, July 11, 2009
This book definitely lived up to my expectations. I could hardly take a break from reading it that's how engrossing I found the story.

Mr. Stevens is an English butler, currently working for an "American gentleman" who has bought the English manor house, Darlington Hall. Previously Darlington Hall was owned by Lord Darlington and Stevens was the butler for many years. During the years between World War I and World War II, Lord Darlington was involved with trying to ease the relationship between Germany and its former enemies. In fact, for a time Lord Darlington was involved with Sir Oswald Mosley who headed a right-wing pro-fascist organization referred to as the 'blackshirts'. Although he later regretted it Lord Darlington insisted that two housemaids be dismissed because they were Jewish. Stevens, as butler, had to carry out this command. The head housekeeper, Miss Kenton, threatened to resign as well if this was allowed to happen. In the end, Miss Kenton stayed until she got married but she felt she had been very weak to do so.


We learn all about life at Darlington Hall as Stevens takes a driving vacation (a singular event in his life) to see Miss Kenton who now lives in Cornwall. Stevens reminisces about the events and considers what constitutes a great butler. He feels that 'dignity' is the hallmark of a great butler and that in stressful situations a great butler will continue to show dignity. He applies this to his own life and never lets his guard down. Even as Stevens' father lay dying Stevens continued to serve refreshments to the guests assembled for an important meeting. The doctor who was called for his father arrived too late but Stevens was able to placate a guest with painful feet by having the doctor tend to them. Although Stevens knew Miss Kenton was attracted to him and even though he felt something for her he never allowed his emotions to show. Thus Miss Kenton married a man she did not love and had quite a rocky relationship. In fact, Miss Kenton had written to Stevens that she had left her husband and Stevens thought that perhaps she might be looking for a position at Darlington Hall again. That was the impetus for him taking this unusual step of driving from Oxfordshire to Cornwall. Perhaps Stevens is finally allowing his emotions to gain the upperhand over his 'dignity'. Or perhaps not.

I recommend this book highly.

This was my 153rd read from the original 1001 Books to Read Before you Die list.

Journal Entry 7 by gypsysmom at Swan Valley Co-op Store in Swan River, Manitoba Canada on Monday, August 3, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (8/1/2009 UTC) at Swan Valley Co-op Store in Swan River, Manitoba Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I left this book in the flyer shelving unit just outside the cafeteria. This release is for the 2009 Never Judge a Book by its Cover challenge - Week 30 ("the" in the title) and for the 2009 52 Towns in 52 Weeks challenge and for the 2009 Keep Them Moving challenge.

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