I’ve been working through Kazuo Ishiguro’s back catalogue for a few years ever since I was lightly emotionally scarred by Never Let Me Go. I love the way each of his books have a secret that is gently and gradually revealed and The Buried Giant is no exception.

Synopsis (from GoodReads)

“You’ve long set your heart against it, Axl, I know. But it’s time now to think on it anew. There’s a journey we must go on, and no more delay…”

The Buried Giant begins as a couple set off across a troubled land of mist and rain in the hope of finding a son they have not seen in years.

Sometimes savage, often intensely moving, Kazuo Ishiguro’s first novel in nearly a decade is about lost memories, love, revenge, and war.

What I Loved

One thing I love about this author is his novels are rarely easily categorised – Never Let Me Go managed to be an amazing sci-fi story as well as being an amazing example of tragic romance. The Buried Giant manages to be both a fantasy novel and a slower character driven literary piece.  He’s a rare author where none of his books seem to be in the same genre, and yet they all are.

I thought the ambiguity of both the ending and the couple’s quest was thought provoking- it’s hard to know whether or not the characters were doing the right thing in trying to regain their memories. It’s a novel that you will keep thinking about and turning over in your head. I actually don’t want to start anything new because I know I will stop thinking about it.  I’m already looking forward to a re-read.

What I Didn’t Love

This book has Kazuo’s customary pacing – starting very very slowly and a slow drip feed of information. Once you get used to it, it’s a beautifully relaxed method of story telling but it can be hard for the casual reader to get into.

 

My Rating: (4.5 / 5)