Where to Start With Kazuo Ishiguro Books
As a Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Grammy-nominated lyricist, and renowned novelist, Kazuo Ishiguro has contributed widely not only to the literary world but also the artistic world as a whole. Through his use of magical realism, his perspective as an immigrant, and his comments on societal structures and imbalances, he has given readers food for thought while creating worlds for them to get lost in. Discover dystopian societies, distorted realities, AI companions, clones, and more within his novels, or explore his achievements and other writing ventures through his nonfiction texts. In these 11 books, you’ll understand the praise and hype that Ishiguro has lived up to for decades.
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Add to BookshelfThe Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain
by Kazuo Ishiguro
Although Ishiguro is widely known as a novelist, he has also written songs for Stacey Kent. After being fans of each other’s work, Ishiguro and Kent collaborated on her 2007 album Breakfast on the Morning Tram, which went on to be nominated for a Grammy. In his latest publication comes a collection of 16 sets of lyrics Ishiguro wrote for Kent, alongside his own introduction and Bianca Bagnarelli’s illustrations. Explore their collaboration in The Summer We Crossed Europe in the Rain — based on the title of one of Kent’s songs — and see the magic that happens when a writer, a singer, and an illustrator come together.
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2
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Klara and the Sun: A GMA Book Club Pick
by Kazuo Ishiguro
Solar-powered robot Klara is an Artificial Friend designed to be a companion for children. Although she’s not the newest model, her keen observation skills make her extra special. When she’s finally bought for 14-year-old Josie who faces the negative side effects of “lifting” — a procedure used to enhance a child’s intelligence — Klara is determined to heal her through the power of the sun. On a mission to eliminate whatever else impedes Josie’s health — or comes in the way of her happiness — Klara’s hopeful and innocent outlook on life has more power to save Josie than the sun itself.
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3
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Never Let Me Go
by Kazuo Ishiguro
In a dystopian England, Kathy is a “carer” on her way to becoming a “donor.” Over 20 years before this, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy were students together at Hailsham — a secluded boarding school specifically used to nurture students’ intellectual and artistic gifts to prepare them to become “donors.” As Kathy reflects on her time at Hailsham with Ruth and Tommy, the sinister nature of what a “donor” is becomes clear. The painful and formative memories that Kathy holds are matters that resurface in her adult life and comment on the devastating societal effects of dehumanizing anyone of any status — fictional or not.
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4
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My Twentieth Century Evening and Other Small Breakthroughs
by Kazuo Ishiguro
In 2017, Ishiguro was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. In this 64-page lecture and acceptance speech, Ishiguro reflects on his writing career and how essential events from his past—such as his experience with immigration — have impacted his writing style. Ishiguro makes a call to broaden the voices and cultures included in the literary canon, provides insight into the importance of listening, and reflects on the competition between films and books that drives unique storytelling. In the pages of this lecture, see why Ishiguro was recognized for his achievements in the literary world.
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5
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The Buried Giant
by Kazuo Ishiguro
Living in post-Arthurian Britain, Axl and Beatrice suffer from an epidemic of amnesia known as “the mist,” brought on by the trauma of King Arthur’s rule. Despite their hazy memories, they’re sure they have a son and decide to walk for several days from their home in Briton to the village they suspect he’s living in. Making their way to Saxon — now at peace with Briton — the couple encounter knights, warriors, ogres, and dragons — some determined to help and others to hinder their search. But as their memories begin to clear, the answers they discover are a far cry from what they had anticipated.
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6
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An Artist of the Floating World
by Kazuo Ishiguro
In the wake of World War II Japan, painter Masuji Ono has given up his art — but why? In the years leading up to the war, Ono was greatly talented, and quickly gained recognition. But when his art is used for imperialist propaganda, Ono must now deal with his contributions to the war and what that means for his artistic legacy, as well as his relationships with his adult children. Laced with some autobiographical elements of Ishiguro’s own experiences, follow Ono’s various recollections of the past — or floating world — to understand the choices he made and their influence on his present work — or lack thereof.
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7
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The Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro
Stevens feels he served a great purpose as Lord Darlington’s butler up until his death, which prompts him to take a break from his duties. But as Stevens drives towards his destination, he reflects on the last three and a half decades. It’s through these memories that Stevens comes to realize that the seemingly great Lord Darlington was on the wrong side of history during World War II. If Lord Darlington wasn’t the man he thought he was, can the merit of Stevens’ devotion and sacrifices still stand up, or will he be served the hard reality of his losses?
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8
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When We Were Orphans
by Kazuo Ishiguro
In 1930s England, Christopher Banks has his work cut out for him as a detective, but the case that has stumped him for decades hits close to home. After losing his parents to their separate mysterious disappearances, Christopher seems to be the only one intent on uncovering the truth. With both his parents involved in the importing and trading of opium, there are a number of paths for Christopher to go down — one which takes him back to China. But as Christopher’s memories and imagination begin to blur into one, his trip down memory lane is one that makes the mystery even harder to solve.
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9
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The Unconsoled
by Kazuo Ishiguro
Taking place over just three days, this novel is packed with years’ worth of revelations for Ryder, a famous concert pianist. After arriving in an unnamed German city to perform a concert — and advise the people on their inability to yield a musical talent such as himself — Ryder is quickly diverted by various tasks. From agreeing to meet the hotel porter’s daughter, to giving the hotel manager guidance, Ryder’s different encounters spark memories of the strangers that he never knew he had. As realizations about his life are made through these seemingly unrelated people, Ryder must find the meaning behind this trip before curtain time.
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10
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A Pale View of Hills
by Kazuo Ishiguro
After her daughter Keiko’s suicide, Etsuko and her other daughter Niki have flashbacks to the events that led to the end of Keiko’s life. Reflecting on their emigration from Japan to England to be with her second husband, Etsuko knows this move was the catalyst for Keiko’s misery. Her memories go back even further to when she was married to her first husband and pregnant with Keiko — a time when she was helping her neighbor Sachiko with her daughter Mariko. It is in her recollection of the tense relationship between Sachiko and Mariko that Etsuko sees the striking similarities to her relationship with Keiko — and the pattern she didn’t break.
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11
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Nocturnes
by Kazuo Ishiguro
To end on a high note — pun intended — read Ishiguro’s Nocturnes, a series of five short stories centered around music, nightfall, and regret. As you’re taken to and from cities like Venice, London, and Beverly Hills, it may seem like a far distance from each different character, but every story reveals a surprising connection between them. From a man serenading his wife on a gondola to a saxophonist’s post-plastic surgery recovery, each narrative in Nocturnes carries itself seamlessly from one life into the next. As nighttime clouds these characters’ judgment they’ll be left with the consequences of their delusions in the morning.
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