Never Let Me Go: 20th anniversary edition

The plot is quite straightforward, predictable, even. But it's also the ease to predict that makes the message cut so deep. We know what's happening to the protagonists and we feel bad for them, but we also know that if this was real life, chances were the exact same thing would happen to them, and there'd be nothing we could do. A great story reflecting on both the meaning of life and the importance of ethics in scientific development.

Kazuo Ishiguro has been one of my favourite authors ever since I read The Remains of The Day. His skill at delving into people's emotions, even when writing in the guise of a female, is astonishing and his prose is magical, almost poetic. In fact I have to say that I have never read a novel or short story of his which disappointed me. Never Let Me Go is no exception. The plot revolves around a group of students growing up in a darkly skewed version of England. The narrator is Cathy, now thirty one and her attempts to rationalise her childhood at the seemingly idyllic Hailsham School. Like all of his work Never Let Me Go is absolutely brilliant, beautifully written and a pleasure to read from start to finish. I honestly think that Kazuo Ishiguro is our greatest modern novelist, a master of his art and highly recommend this novel. Whether you have read his work before or not is immaterial, if you have you won't be disappointed and if you haven't then please start now.

Completely out of my comfort zone - but strangely enjoyable! Thirty-one year old Kath reminisces about her childhood and how it's all brought her to where she is now. We learn about her life up until now and the friends who have featured in her life. This is my first novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Sometimes, you get to the point of actually reading one of those novels which are labelled 'one day' in your mind! I wasn't quite sure what to expect but once I had begun, I found this to be simply compelling. It wouldn't have surprised me to find out this one was set in Gilead but, no, it definitely takes place in the U.K. which gives the story a sinister edge. Beautifully written, there is a simple truth to the characters and how they interact with each other. Totally believable - and all the creepier because of it! Very different to my usual type of novel but not one I'll forget in a hurry. If you enjoy something different, then this is one for you. I'm happy to give it four stars.