James Mustich's 1000 Books to Read Before You Die discussion

This is the thread for a general discussion about our November Group Read, Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day.

I just finished and thought it was such a dear book! I am doing a virtual walk/run/bike through the length of Great Britain, and the route he took is the same one I am on (only I am going the opposite way and am very near to Oxford)! His inner thoughts were so insightful. I am an Enneagram teacher, and he was a Type 5 (I think), and I would love to use him in an Enneagram and Film Class!

I have now finished this and whilst I found it an enjoyable, if slow, read, I am curious as to why it is on the 1000 list. James Mustich mentions the subtlety, irony and unreliable narrator, but not a five star read for me. However, I am glad to have read it.

Set in 1956, these recollections of Mr Stevens, the ageing English butler of Darlington Hall in Oxfordshire, are related in an interior monologue of convoluted circumlocutions that emphasise his professional pride but also his detachment from a personal social life.
The narrative threads of Stevens, Miss Kenton and Lord Darlington that have wound through the book are satisfyingly and surprisingly brought together, but other than for Lord Darlington, not at all the ending I expected.

I finished reading this book. It is one I could reread again. I think it is an interesting look at a high position in a great house. I like that Ishiguro used Steven's to narrate. It really emphasized his position as butler.

At the end it seems like Mrs. Benn (the former Miss Keaton) had wanted Steven's to ask her to marry him when she told him about Benn asking her to marry him. But now she has grown to love Benn and is looking forward to her grandchild being born.

I really enjoyed the book. I liked the style of the book with Stevens as the narrator. Even though I was not sure that he was telling us the whole story. I don't think his lack of displayed emotions would have allowed him to tell us the whole story anyway.

I think that he spends most of the novel trying to convince himself that his "dignity" is the most important thing. He really bottles things up doesn't he?