Book vs. Movie

Welcome back to my blog! Over vacation I had a chance to finally sit down and watch the movie version of Never Let Me Go. My favorite kind of books are ones that have been developed into movies or shows, which is part of the reason I chose this book in the first place! It is almost unfair to compare books to their movie version due to the time constraint of around two hours versus 300 pages full of detail...but I'll do it anyways. First I would like to say that I prefer the book (that's almost always the case in my experience), but it is still worth chatting about. 

Similar to The Handmaid's Tale (10/10 recommend the show if you haven't seen it, obviously read it first), I was intrigued to see how Hollywood would take a novel in which the narrator is rather passive when it comes to confronting the society. In the show adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale, Offred takes on a more active role and is inspiring to the audience. However, in Never Let Me Go, Kathy's behavior stays the same, along with the other characters, and there is no big rebellion against the cloning society. If I had not read this book prior to watching the movie, I would have seen this lack of action as a flaw, making the movie relatively pointless and boring. Thankfully, I had read the book and can understand that the slow and quiet plot emphasizes the theme of regret that everyone feels when facing an expiration date. 

Throughout the movie, regardless of the setting changes, I always found it to be quite grey and full of neutral colors. This created a somber tone even when the scenery was quite beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to find the acting to be quite true to the characters created by Ishiguro. Kath, played by Carey Mulligan, uses her facial expressions and quiet demeanor to portray a sweet and timid young woman. I think the movie does an excellent job showing her as a carer living in solitude, burnt out with just a little hope left, and somewhat desensitized to death. This is portrayed in the scene in which she is caring for a young woman. Kath brings her chocolates for after the surgery as a prize, but the woman doesn't end up surviving. Once she hears the news of her donor's death, she asks to fill out the forms as if nothing had happened. Ruth, played by Keira Knightley, makes you dislike her character until the end, as she should. I think my favorite scene of hers is when she is arguing with Kathy after they realize the woman in the office is not her clone original. Knightley does an excellent job talking down to Mulligan's character with a strong voice. Her deep disappointment makes it clear that out of the three characters, Ruth is always the one who wanted a future in the "real world" the most, while the others look back to their past. Andrew Garfield does a decent job playing Tommy, but other than his pleading gazes at Madame and Miss Emily while asking for a deferral, there is nothing too notable about his performance. 

Throughout the movie, most of the dialogue is similar, if not the same, as that of the book. Whenever the setting changes, for example the move between Hailsham and the Cottages, Kathy's voice over interjects, preparing the audience for the next chapter. I find voice overs to be quite cheesy or out of place in many movies, but her calm and soothing voice fits well with the slow pace of the movie. One major aspect that was changed in the movie is the emphasis of jealousy, causing Ruth to seem even more mean. Instead of Madame catching Kath dancing alone with her pillow, Ruth does. Afterwards, we see Ruth kissing Tommy, allowing the audience to assume that Ruth was jealous of Kath and Tommy and decided to take control. I guess strengthening the love triangle idea is not unusual for Hollywood, but I preferred Madame's interpretation of Kath's dancing, bringing forth the idea of Kath's longing from a world with no clones. 

At the end of the movie, there is a beautiful but very sad moment in which Kath and Tommy lock eyes before he is put under anesthesia. It flashes to their younger selves at Hailsham, looking at each other across the room in the same way. This scene symbolizes the love that they have for each other, but also reminds the audience of the lack of time they have together. After Tommy dies, the movie ends just as the book does, with Kathy looking out for all that she has lost in a field. This final scene with her voice over explaining how nobody has enough time on earth leaves me feeling uneasy. 

Overall, this movie was okay. To be honest, the book was just okay as well. Some books stick with me months, even years after I close them, but I don't think this is one of those. I didn't feel like I connected to the characters enough to feel too upset. If you are thinking about reading this, I would recommend reading it pretty quickly. I feel that since I broke it up week by week, I lost touch with some of the details that would have heightened my emotional attachment to the novel. If you are bored on a rainy day and feel like watching a dreary movie, go for it! 

Thanks so much for following along with my blog this past month! I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed sharing my hopefully coherent thoughts!

Reactions to the End and Meaning of the Work as a Whole (Spoilers!)

Everything has been leading up to these last few chapters. Throughout this book, I have been waiting for one big revelation about the society and a strong reaction from the characters. Maybe Kath and Tommy would revolt and try to escape their fate! Perhaps they could be the exception! 

But no, in the end, when Ruth finally pushes Kath and Tommy to be together, they find the mysterious Madame and Miss Emily to be sourly disappointed that even those who are in love cannot defer from the donations for a period of time. When Kath's memories catch up to her in the present, Ruth and Tommy are dead, and she is preparing to end her career as a carer to begin the process of giving up her life piece by piece. 

Kath in the movie version of Never Let Me Go

Ishiguro limits our perspective to just Kath so that readers can start piecing together the puzzle of cloning and donations. In this final chapter, most everything comes together with Miss Emily's account of her motives for creating Hailsham. She explains, "Most importantly, we demonstrated to the world that if students were reared in humane, cultivated environments, it was possible for them to grow to be as sensitive and intelligent as any ordinary human being"(261). I find this information extremely conflicting. On one hand, Miss Emily's project to show the world that clones have souls is a progressive approach. However, regardless of the conditions they are raised in, all of these clones have no choice and will give up their lives to save others. I don't think anyone would argue against the fact that it is more humane to raise them at places like Hailsham, however, the entire process is inhumane to begin with. Miss Emily discusses how people who benefit from new organs don't want to know where they come from. This contributes to the idea that humans would rather turn off the news at night and ignore the pain others go through to sustain their own happiness. 

The conversation between Miss Emily and her two former students is rather calm, emphasizing the passiveness of each character. Why doesn't Kath just drive off with Tommy and leave the cruel world behind her? I think submission to fate is controlled by their upbringing in which they were sheltered and happy enough to follow along with the lives they were supposed to lead. This is what I find the most upsetting in the novel. There is no rebellion, reflecting the idea that if we go with the grain when things get bad, they will only get worse from there on out. 

The connection between the outside world and Kath's internal bubble is revealed in this last section. At Tommy's recovery center, Kath can see outlines of a pool from years before when the place was a summer camp. She thinks to herself, "I can't help picturing a swimmer taking a dive off the top only to crash into cement"(219). This is a subtle take on how the clones are able to see how things could be if they were like other humans but are instead pained by the harsh reality. While saying goodbye, Madame and Kath recount the time at Hailsham in which Madame started crying when she caught Kath dancing in her room. Madame shares her reaction to seeing Kath that afternoon and says, "I saw a little girl, her eyes tightly closed, holding to her breast the old kind world, one that she knew in her heart could not remain, and she was holding it and pleading, never to let her go"(272). I found this to be a very moving part of the book in which the theme of holding on to the past is applied to a large scale. Not only is Kath holding on to her memories of Hailsham, but by wishing for a normal life, all of the clones are refusing to let go of this "old kind world." 

Now let's move on from the society as a whole and focus on what we can learn from the relationships developed in the book. Kath realizes when she sees an old friend from Hailsham that she needs to reconnect with Ruth and Tommy. She thinks to herself, "And it started to dawn on me, I suppose, that a lot of things I'd always assumed I'd plenty of time to get round to doing, I might now have to act on pretty soon or else let them go forever"(213). Through this realization, she decides to become Ruth's carer and reconsiders her relationship with Tommy. Although Kath never outright admits that she has been in love with Tommy all of her life, it is clear through their interactions and connection that they are meant to be together. Ever since the beginning, Kath and Tommy took interest in uncovering the secrets of Hailsham while Ruth embraced the life she has been given. In this final section of the book, the tone switches from neutral and reflective to dark and sad, especially when it comes to the physical and emotional changes the characters endure. Ruth and Tommy are weakened by their donations and Ruth's personality is equally deteriorating. She rarely fights back when Kath and Tommy challenge her beliefs, but in her dying plea, she urges them to try and receive a deferral. 

Once Kath becomes Tommy's carer, they silently struggle to feel fulfilled. She realizes, "'Yes, we're doing this now and I'm glad we are doing it now. But what a pity we left it so late'"(239). The themes of holding onto the past and feelings of regret come together for the meaning of the work as a whole. Although it sounds cliche, the final message Ishiguro leaves readers with is to grasp life in the moment and steal any opportunity for happiness and love or else it will be too late. Yes, Kath and Tommy find love, but the time they have together is bound by a ticking clock. Tommy describes their relationship as a river and tells Kath, "The current's too strong. They've got to let go, drift apart. That's how I think it is with us"(282). In this case, the river is their life, and the current is their fate. Ishiguro slowly builds up to the moment the two can be together slowly tears the two apart, leaving readers feeling empty. 

We leave Kath staring out in a field, trying to imagine her loved ones coming back to life. One thing the society can't take away from her is her memories. Even though she let Tommy go, she will still hold on to every moment from the past. 

I'm sorry to end on such a sad note, but that is exactly what Ishiguro did. Check in next time to read about the movie comparison (shout out to Netflix for just uploading Never Let Me Go). 

Writing Style and AP Merit

Welcome back to my blog! I have around seventy pages left in Never Let Me Go, and decided it would be a good time to discuss whether or not this book should be on an AP reading list. My initial reaction is that, no, perhaps it should not be considered of high literary merit. I say this because it is so easy to pick up and read compared to past books that I have read like Brave New World and The Handmaid's Tale. While I was reading those dystopian novels, I felt that I had to pay close attention to each detail and motif to fully understand the themes and meaning of the work as a whole. I find myself taking fewer pauses and having a greater understanding of Never Let Me Go. Why is this?

In order to answer that, it is important to take a look at the writing style. I have found that Ishiguro's style consists of three main qualities: point of view, imagery, and tense. If the book was in third person instead of being narrated by Kath, it would be rather different in my mind. Through her eyes, readers are contained in a little bubble, whether that is at Hailsham, the Cottages, or the recovery centers. This means that we only know what she knows, making readers come up with their own theories similar to how her and Tommy do. Instead of analyzing the page by page like I did with Song of Solomon, I find myself analyzing the limited information I have been exposed to and what that might reveal. If the book was in third person, the book would feel less like a coming of age story since we would not get the conversational and emotional feel that we have from Kath.

The imagery is what captivates me and creates a beautiful picture in my mind of the setting. If you asked me to draw Hailsham or the Cottages (please don't, I am an awful artist) I would easily be able to include all the little details that set the tone for Kath's memories. Every time Kath describes a new setting the writing is extremely descriptive. For example, when her and Ruth go outside to have a chat she explains, "There was a steep footpath I'd discovered leading up along the edge of the valley and just where it came out onto the road was an old bus shelter...the shelter itself--which was like a lovingly constructed wooden hut with one side open to the fields going down the valleyside--was still standing, and even had its bench intact"(199). Is it necessary to include all of this imagery in order for Ishiguro to get his points across? No, perhaps not. However, it is what makes the book special and intriguing, furthering its merit.

One aspect of the book that is hard to ignore and important to pay attention to is the switching between time settings. The book not only switches between past and present, Kath also skips around in her memories and does not always explain things in chronological order. I think Ishiguro uses this style to make connections between two ideas or relationships that become relevant later in her life.

What I also find interesting is how much Kath gives away from the beginning, both big and small revelations. We know that Ruth is dead and Tommy is also most likely dead. There are also little things that she gives away, for example she tells us early on that her and Tommy find the tape she loses at Hailsham later in Norfolk. This memory connects both her adult life and childhood, showing that she struggles to let go of her past. Although the order in which stories are told can somewhat be confusing, I do not have too much trouble understanding it as a whole.

Now that I have considered the writing style, let's get back to my previous question of whether or not this book is "AP worthy." I think that through his detailed approach, Ishiguro handles many important subjects such as love, growing up, and life values. It is easy for the reader to get caught up in the love triangle between the three friends and lose track of the dystopian setting. I think the choice to make the characters clones questions many ideas of what it means to be human. These themes make me rethink my initial reaction that the book is not of literary merit. I think that after reading this book and coming to this conclusion, it is important for me to understand that although a book might not be difficult to read, that does not mean the messages and analysis are any less challenging to understand.

If I were to teach this book in class I would focus on the connection between the coming of age style and dystopian society. I would ask questions like how does the fact that they are clones psychologically affect the kids? How do people act differently when the purpose of their life is to die?  What are some examples of the characters acting differently from "normal" humans? I find that these questions could be both targeted to a psychology class or English class.

Writing this blog post has made me think quite a bit about the meaning of the work as a whole. Hopefully, after I finish the last few chapters I will have a better understanding. Check back next week for my final reactions!

Transitions (Chpt. 7 - 13)

Welcome back to my blog! It's starting to become hard to put this book down once I start reading. Not only does the plot entice me to keep flipping pages, but so does the writing style. 

The first person point of view develops the novel into an amazing piece of writing through seamless story telling. Kath takes the readers from one memory to the next, as if she is talking right to you during a long car ride. One moment she will be thinking about one of Miss Emily's lectures about sex and the next she will transition into a story about Tommy's injury to his elbow. At moments I forget what leads Kath to a certain memory, but she ties it all together with an important message or contemplation. 

Last time I blogged I unknowingly stopped reading at a perfect place in the book. Chapter 7 starts with a clear transition from Kath's telling of her childhood to her recollection of their teenage years. She says, "In my memory my life at Hailsham falls into two distinct chunks: this last era, and everything that came before"(77). This "last era" is filled with sex, confusion, and hidden fear, all of which intermingle in Kath's memories of her last two years at Hailsham. 

Miss Lucy, the guardian who's moral beliefs appear to clash with the donor system, introduces the idea of students being "told but not told" about their future beyond the boundaries of Hailsham. I think this idea is what explains the difficulties donors have throughout their lives. For example, they have been told what to expect physically as a donor, but are not able to be taught about the emotional battles they might go through. Therefore, when Ruth dreams of working in an office one day and Kath dances with her imaginary baby, no lessons from Hailsham can prepare them for the loss they will experience from the inability to attain these things later in life. 

During this section of the book, a major transition takes place that tests the characters and their relationships with one another. They move from Hailsham to a transitional living area on a farm called the Cottages. At the Cottages, Ruth, Kath, and Tommy live with other donors from around the country, awaiting the next stage in donor life, whatever that may be. Kath explains how they react to a new sense of freedom, "Of course, in practice, especially during the first months, we barely stepped beyond the confines of the Cottages"(116). I think that their uneasiness at the Cottages reflects how isolated Hailsham is from society.

Although they know just as much history and literature as "normal" people, they have never experienced many aspects of life. Looking back, Kath realizes the strength of their connection to Hailsham. She says, "...somewhere underneath, a part of us stayed like that: fearful of the world around us, and--no matter how much we despised ourselves for it--unable to quite let each other go"(120). No matter where they go, Hailsham is always the safe and pure place in their minds. I think this passage is an ode to the title of the book. Even in adulthood she is not able to let her past go, along with the people in it. 

Ruth and Kath's relationship is tested further at the Cottages. As Ruth visibly tries hard to fit in with the older kids, I feel just as annoyed as Kath who confronts her for the behavior. It is clear that Ruth has not changed from the girl with mysterious pencil case, and Kath continues to let her brag on false terms. I think Kath feels loyal to Ruth and would be somewhat lost without her friend. Although she says she would never point out Ruth's flaws to other people, I could see her doing so in a brief fit of anger. I am also interested to see how Tommy fits into the equation. It is hinted that he has feelings for Kath, and vice versa, so we will see if their special connection develops any further. 

There is so much to talk about! For example, we found out that the donors are actually clones. After I learn more in the next section, I will get back to that. In the mean time, I am going to start posting questions I have at the end of my blog posts. Cheers!

Questions:

What happens to unhealthy donors?

Is the donation process created to just fix the problem of lack of organ donors in the country or is there more to it?

Why is it important that donors create artwork?

What is the gallery?

What happened to Miss Lucy?

Where do they go after the Cottages?

Meet the Characters: Carers, Donors, and Guardians (Chpt. 1-7)

(left to right) Kath, Ruth, and Tommy in the movie adaptation of Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go opens up with our narrator, Kathy, who is in her early thirties, reflecting on her upbringing at an English boarding school called Hailsham. At first, Hailsham appears to be your typical boarding school, full of lively kids and considerate teachers, known as guardians. However, as Kath continues to describe her experiences as a child, it becomes clear that the students are brought up for a special purpose--to donate organs. Throughout their time at Hailsham, Kath and her two friends, Ruth and Tommy, slowly uncover the mystery of their lives and the society. In order for readers to follow along with the mystery, it is important to understand the characters. So far, the novel has primarily taken place in the past, allowing for readers to get to know the characters as they grow up. 

Readers are limited to Kath's perspective which means we get to know the characters through her own subjective memories. Kath is a caring and kind individual who is perceptive of other people's emotions and motivations. When her classmate Tommy is being bullied by other students, she chooses to approach him with a sympathetic attitude instead of being a bystander along with her group of friends. Whenever she feels that she has potentially damaged her friend Ruth's popularity, she takes long measures to make things right between them. This considerate and compassionate behavior is perhaps one of the reasons she has been a "carer" for over eleven years after Hailsham. We learn that she is caring for organ donors who include Ruth and Tommy. She thinks about the donors she has cared for over the years, especially her friends, and spends a lot of time reflecting on her life as her career comes to an end. I hope to learn more about her time as a carer and the discoveries she makes about the society during her time at Hailsham. 

We are first introduced to Tommy when he bursts into a fit of anger on the sports field after being picked on by other students. It is clear that he is a target of bullying due to his emotional sensitivity and lack of emotional control. However, he mainly stands out among the students due to his lack of artistic creativity. At Hailsham, students are pressured to create beautiful works of art to present to each other as well as the mysterious Madame, who collects the nicest pieces a few times a year. Tommy has little motivation to please others with his artwork and prefers sports instead. Although most guardians would find this behavior unacceptable, Miss Lucy tells Tommy that it is not his fault he is not creative and that "At least one person believes you're a very good student...never mind how creative you are"(28). Tommy takes this to heart and stops reacting to his aggressors, which eventually makes them stop. Both Kath and he develop a friendship in which they discuss the peculiarities of their upbringing. Together, they consider the deeper meaning of things the guardians have said or done. I will be interested to see where their curiosity leads them in the future chapters. 

Ruth is strong willed girl with a bold personality who likes taking charge of situations. During their childhood, she creates a fantasy in which there is an exclusive group of "guards" who are sworn to protect their favorite guardian, Miss Geraldine. Within this group, she is the leader and prides herself in keeping things from others as well as being in control of her friends. One day, Kath sneakily reveals that she knows Ruth is lying about receiving a pencil case from her teacher to show off to her friends. Ruth becomes visibly upset and it is clear that when she lacks control, she is just as vulnerable and insecure as any other young girl. I believe as I read further, Ruth and Kath will continue to navigate the milestones of adolescence with each other by their sides. 

The one distinct attribute that the three main characters share is curiosity. Each student is cautious when it comes to asking questions about their purpose in life, leaving many secrets hanging in the air at Hailsham. I think that the three main characters will begin to uncover some of these secrets as they grow up. In this section of reading, the characters are still quite naive. After a classmate challenges the credibility of one of Ruth's fantasy games, Kath takes offense. She reflects on this confrontation, realizing "What it was I suppose, is that Moira was suggesting she and I cross some line together, and I wasn't prepared for that. I think I sensed how beyond that line, there was something harder and darker and I didn't want that. Not for me, not for any of us"(55). At one point in life every kid steps out of their own simple world into a much more complex and confusing adolescence. However, for kids at Hailsham, the life they are being prepared for might be much more challenging than they ever imagined.