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Never Let Me Go
Kathy is a "carer" who has been caring for donors much longer than most. In this book, Kathy tells a touching and intriguing story about growing up in Hailsham, a school run by lenient guardians who promote the children's creativity. Each month a mysterious lady, Madame, chooses the best artistic creations and takes them away to the "gallery." No one quite knows what is done with them or why they are so important. As the children get older, only a few of them begin asking uncomfortable questions and bringing up sensitive issues. The guardians turn their heads and are mostly silent on the subject. One of these children is Kathy's best friend Tommy. Tommy is more curious than the rest of them and he and Kathy spend many years sorting through their thoughts of what is really behind their lives. Kathy's other best friend Ruth would never dream of ruining the perfectly understandable world she has created for herself. Kathy leads us through the interweaving stories of three close friends with much emotion and mystery.
By the author of Remains of the Day and recently made into a movie, this novel includes study guides and may spark intriguing debates about ethics and moral philosophies. A quite different view of this world is portrayed in The Bradbury Report by Steven Polansky. For a more action packed adventure, you may enjoy the movie The Island starring Ewan Mcgregor & Scarlett Johansson.
Recommended by Allison Holbrook
COMMENTS
I agree with PW, dialogue was terrible, I thought the ending would have been a little more suspenseful. Much like the characters it turned out rather dull.
I haven't read the book, but just saw the movie. The movie was a little slow moving, but very romantic and beautifully filmed. Like the others have said above, it's really scary to think that our society could do this horrible thing to other humans in order to save themselves. Could it really come to something so heartless?
I found this book to be rather strange and annoying. The interactions between the characters as children was far too adult and as adults far too childish. It was hard for me to imagine that Kathy and Tommy would continue to be "friends" with Ruth despite her nasty ways. Although the topic lends itself to great conversations about ethics, I think this book missed the mark.
This book annoyed me for several reasons. The dialogue between the characters seemed too infantile and pointless throughout most of the book. The characters were very odd in the interactions with each other from beginning to end. Not wanting to give the story away in case you want to read it, the idea that science could lead us in this direction does seem frightening but a possible scenario.
One of my favorite books in recent years-- can't wait to see the movie!