An Artist of The Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro - Book Discussion
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2021
- Hello friends! We're talking about Kazuo Ishiguro's second novel today, An Artist of the Floating World, as part of our 2021 monthly read of one of his novels. Let me know what you thought about it in the comments below. Also let me know any books you would recommend to Ishiguro fans!
Articles Referenced:
Wright, T, No Homelike Place: The Lesson of History in Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World
Sarvan, C, Floating Signifiers and An Artist of the Floating World
Tellini, S, Identity and Nation in Kazuo Ishiguro's Artist of the Floating World
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I've just finished both the book and your video, and what I might have found the most intriguing is the parallel with the burning of paintings. I think it was a triple, not just a double, parallel. First Ono's father burns his paintings to discourage him from following his own ideas, his own path in life, since he deems Ono's choice unworthy and wrong. Next, Mori-san burns Ono's paintings with a very similar intent. Finally, Ono himself burns Kuroda's works, although he only does so indirectly. Again, his feelings and intent seems quite similar: He reports Kuroda, because his views differ from the ones that are so dear to Ono. And the long-term consequences of these 3 events are pretty similar as well. All 3 perpetrators lose their standing as authority figures, as people whose position lends them power to dictate to their students/children, while their victims succeed. It shows the pattern that those who refuse taking others' points of views into consideration out of childish stubbornness and resentment will be disproven with time. (I must point out that this does not mean that the new ideas are always correct. Ono's efforts related to the war have been largely misdirected.)
I considered Ono a more reliably narrator than Etsuko at the beginning of the book, but as I progressed I slowly lost my conviction. Ono is not a bad person and neither is he stupid. That's why his guilt is so strong, and it influences every aspect of his life greatly. (And if what he says is somewhat true, he did commit great sins even if he did so out of good will.) It's a great question which mologues are real and which aren't in the book. That's what makes the whole story so unstable, in my opinion, because the reader gets a picture of the characters through the recollected conversations - which might be totally inaccurate or even non-existent.
There are tons of morifs and themes in the book that could be discussed. I think it was fascinating, but I must admit Tha Pale View of the Hills resonated more with me. It was more depressing and frustrating, though. The end of this book is hopeful in a way, while I can't really say the same for the first one. Also, I feel like Ono has a chance to find happiness despite everything, and his attitude isn't as lethargic when it comes to the past as Etsuko's. Etsuko, on the other hand, seems terribly resigned, someone who only exits in life instead of living it in her old age.
Thanks for the video, I don't know when I can continue with the books, but if I do so, I will definitely follow it up with your next little analysis :)
Thank you for your detailed comment - it was a really interesting reflection on the protagonists of the two books as well as your comments on the repetitive cycles of stubbornness and resentment. I definitely agree that the prospects of Ono ending up with a chance of a more positive future are higher than in the case of Etsuko. Please do follow up if you continue on your Ishiguro streak, would be great to hear your further thoughts :)
bro wrote more then I will in my trials
Hello , I'm watching from Kenya I've really enjoyed your content ,,keep sending more
Really enjoyed your points on the three businessmen at the end and the way Ono’s father burned his paintings!
i like to think when writing this ishiguro really hoped someone would dab while quoting his work