Ishiguro is my favourite contemporary writer and this is my favourite work from him. It’s unlike any other novel I’ve read and it conveyed dream logic so convincingly that it angered and frustrated the heck out of me. Not being in control, remembering yet not remembering certain things even loved ones, constantly sidetracked. I love films and books that involve dream logic but The Unconsoled still did it best for me. Only until the end, and many weeks after did I really appreciate the execution. It was a daring and uncompromisingly odd follow up to such a successful and acclaimed novel. Critics mostly destroyed it but it stands up well and most of the literary world must’ve admired its originality only many years after. Ishiguro must’ve felt really big time around then especially as you brought up the film adaptation of Remains was huge. His new found celebrity and clout must’ve been an influence on the themes and storyline. Ish is very smart in realizing this stage in his career was the best and maybe only time he could get away with something like this and kudos to him for realizing it!
Absolutely! About 12 years ago I read Ishiguro's novels in order up to 'Never Let me Go', and while 'The Remains of the Day' and NLMG are probably objectively better reads, 'The Unconsoled' remains my personal favourite. I was surprised by the amount of sublimated rage and resentment in the book, I found it compelling. Ishiguro plays with time dilation and spatial dislocation in fascinating and frustrating ways. It's like anytime Ryder gets distracted whatever he's not paying attention to instantly changes states and he has to constantly refocus which is exhausting and lo-key horrifying. The particular flavour of the European town has stayed with me too. I remember the way Ishiguro pays deliberate attention to the feel and shifting quality of light in rooms and outdoor spaces lit up the inside of my mind at the time of reading. It's the best Kafkaesque novel I've read outside of the maestro himself, and in some ways I prefer the imprint of Ishiguro's Japanese and English sensibilities on the material.
Wonderful comment. Agreed on the two others being objectively better reads, they made a huge impact on me. The town was well done, cliche compliment but for all of his books it really felt like I was there. He places you into his worlds seamlessly. His love for cinema subtly shows in his writing. I haven’t read the book in probably five or six years but I want to revisit it when the time is right. I’ve read all his work but actually haven’t reread any of them yet. Did you like Klara and the Sun. I personally loved it and can’t wait for his next work. 😁
@@realm_dweller I admire mr Kaufman’s film work a lot. I heard he wrote a novel once but quickly forgot about it. I have to say I have a certain wariness towards screenwriters making the jump to novels but I’ll keep Antkind in mind especially because of my trust in Kaufman and your personal recommendation so thank you!
Ishiguro is my favourite contemporary writer and this is my favourite work from him. It’s unlike any other novel I’ve read and it conveyed dream logic so convincingly that it angered and frustrated the heck out of me. Not being in control, remembering yet not remembering certain things even loved ones, constantly sidetracked. I love films and books that involve dream logic but The Unconsoled still did it best for me. Only until the end, and many weeks after did I really appreciate the execution.
It was a daring and uncompromisingly odd follow up to such a successful and acclaimed novel. Critics mostly destroyed it but it stands up well and most of the literary world must’ve admired its originality only many years after. Ishiguro must’ve felt really big time around then especially as you brought up the film adaptation of Remains was huge. His new found celebrity and clout must’ve been an influence on the themes and storyline. Ish is very smart in realizing this stage in his career was the best and maybe only time he could get away with something like this and kudos to him for realizing it!
Absolutely! About 12 years ago I read Ishiguro's novels in order up to 'Never Let me Go', and while 'The Remains of the Day' and NLMG are probably objectively better reads, 'The Unconsoled' remains my personal favourite.
I was surprised by the amount of sublimated rage and resentment in the book, I found it compelling. Ishiguro plays with time dilation and spatial dislocation in fascinating and frustrating ways. It's like anytime Ryder gets distracted whatever he's not paying attention to instantly changes states and he has to constantly refocus which is exhausting and lo-key horrifying.
The particular flavour of the European town has stayed with me too. I remember the way Ishiguro pays deliberate attention to the feel and shifting quality of light in rooms and outdoor spaces lit up the inside of my mind at the time of reading.
It's the best Kafkaesque novel I've read outside of the maestro himself, and in some ways I prefer the imprint of Ishiguro's Japanese and English sensibilities on the material.
Wonderful comment. Agreed on the two others being objectively better reads, they made a huge impact on me. The town was well done, cliche compliment but for all of his books it really felt like I was there. He places you into his worlds seamlessly. His love for cinema subtly shows in his writing.
I haven’t read the book in probably five or six years but I want to revisit it when the time is right. I’ve read all his work but actually haven’t reread any of them yet. Did you like Klara and the Sun. I personally loved it and can’t wait for his next work. 😁
I would recommend you to read Antkind by Charlie Kauffman! Also very dreamlike and puzzling! Difficult and enticing read too
@@realm_dweller I admire mr Kaufman’s film work a lot. I heard he wrote a novel once but quickly forgot about it. I have to say I have a certain wariness towards screenwriters making the jump to novels but I’ll keep Antkind in mind especially because of my trust in Kaufman and your personal recommendation so thank you!
loved it
'135,000 pages'! I think you mean words.
Yes!