the buried giant by kazuo ishiguro

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
317 pages

What’s it about?
This story takes place not long after the rule of King Arthur.  It is a fable that follows an elderly couple as they go off on a  journey to find their son.  

What did I think?
This was a slow paced story that kept me reading.  I had a few times in the middle of the book that I thought it was a little too slow...  The premise of the book was interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.  I very much wanted to know what point the author was making with this story.   In the end it was an interesting, thought provoking book.  Kazuo Ishiguro is a master storyteller.   Every book I read by this author is different than the previous one, and each book leads me to think about difficult questions.   

Should you read it?
This tale is about forgetting, the power of memory, and love.  Can any couple survive over the years without letting go of memories?  On a larger scale, what role in war does the act of memory play?  If you like ideas, then this fable will resonate with you.  Be warned- it is more thought provoking than entertaining.

Quote-
          “ ‘But Axl, we can’t even remember those days.  Or any of the years between.  We don’t remember our fierce quarrels or the small moments we enjoyed and treasured.  We don’t remember our son or why he’s away from us.’

                  ‘We can make all those memories come back princess.  Besides the feeling in my heart for you will be there just the same, no matter what I remember or forget.  Don’t you feel the same princess?’

                  ‘I do, Axl.   But then again I wonder if what we feel in our hearts today isn’t like these raindrops still falling on us from the soaked leaves above, even thought the sky itself long stopped raining.  I’m wondering if without our memories, there’s nothing for it but for our love to fade and die.’ “

If you like this try-
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
 
7 1/2 stars