Book Review: The Remains of the Day is perhaps a perfect book. Certainly the most perfectly written book I've ever read. Ishiguro controls the tone, pacing, substance, everything as well as it's ever been done. Never a break in the presentation, nothing to throw the reader out of the story, never a misstep. At the same time, everything is extremely subtle and quiet, with only the rare overt action. A very adult book, in the sense of being able to reflect and appreciate. All emotion is strictly controlled. If you want excitement and car chases you won't find it in The Remains of the Day. Even a raised voice or unpleasant tone of voice is uncommon and shocking. The whole of the plot exists deep under the surface, with the characters' thoughts carrying the action. It's like a painting with only minimal shifts in color and tint. You have to look close to see the composition. This is the muffled crack of a twig in the forest, not an elk crashing through the trees. Few shocks or surprises, except in the readers' slow realization as to what is happening beneath the surface. Yet the characters' emotions were powerful, I was embarrassed for them, felt their desperation, regretted with them. The Remains of the Day is a quiet book, but with all rage and yearning buried deep. I wouldn't say it's the best book ever written, but the most perfectly written book. A masterpiece, a tour de force. [5★]
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