Comment

Jul 07, 2012Maupertuis rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The book has its classic tone and rhythm Ishiguro has excelled in "The Remains of the Day". It has even been shortlisted for a book prize. It includes, however, the historical episode of the English selling opium to the Chinese, and this can displease certain sensibilities. The epiphany of the narrator that all his well-being in England - private school, moderately high income, opportunity to choose an interesting profession - has been built on profits from opium trade, this epiphany fits into the well-known model of rich countries exploiting poor countries. This might be disturbing, depending on the political viewpoint, even though facts are scrupulously true.