Book Review - Never Let Me Go

I few weeks ago I finished the book Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and I have been trying to figure out what to write about it ever since. I cannot go into detail at all about the plot without risking spoiling the book for people who have not read it yet. This is the type of novel where you (the reader) know something absolutely giant is happening but are not exactly sure what it is, so you just have to keep reading to find out. Much of the answer to the big mystery is revealed about one third of the way into the book, and then the characters have to deal with their situation from there.

I will say just a few things about the main idea of the story. It starts with the main character, Kathy, looking back on her childhood at a secluded boarding school in the English countryside. This school, called Hailsham, is inhabited with kids who are told they are "special." But I am not going to say how they are so special because that would ruin the mystery! We follow Kathy through her thoughts as she observes what happened to her at Hailsham and everything that has happened since. Ishiguro writes in a style that makes it seem like Kathy is talking to you and you alone.

I have seen this novel shelved in stores and libraries in the fiction section as well as the science fiction section. But don't let that scare away those of you who usually stand back from sci-fi in bookstores, it is not your "typical sci-fi book." In addition to containing subjects usually found in science fiction it also contains thoughts and ideas found in romance as well as suspense novels! It is a must read.