• The Remains of the Day

  • By: Kazuo Ishiguro
  • Narrated by: Dominic West
  • Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (355 ratings)

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The Remains of the Day  By  cover art

The Remains of the Day

By: Kazuo Ishiguro
Narrated by: Dominic West
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Publisher's summary

From the winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature

A contemporary classic, The Remains of the Day is Kazuo Ishiguro's beautiful and haunting evocation of life between the wars in a Great English House. In the summer of 1956, Stevens, the ageing butler of Darlington Hall, embarks on a leisurely holiday that will take him deep into the countryside - and into his past.

©2012 Kazuo Ishiguro (P)2012 Faber & Faber

What listeners say about The Remains of the Day

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The Most Balanced Work

Impossible to stop listening to this one. In fact, I listned to it all in one go today at work. It is a contemplative story which balances many themes masterfully. The narration is in the same vein laid back and urgent at the same time, making it a vexing listen indeed. Heartily recommended.

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wow

‘Lord Darlington wasn’t a bad man. He wasn’t a bad man at all. And at least he had the privilege of being able to say at the end of his life that he made his own mistakes.'.... nice

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Wow, what a story.

This book moved me to my inner core. It made me think about life and the choices I made in a new and brighter light. No wonder Ishiguro won the nobel prize, it was well deserved.

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1 person found this helpful

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WOW!!!

Ishiguro is a master story teller....and after listening to the audio version of this book I understand (and now also agree) with all the fuss that is made about this author ... I loved this book. The narrator (Dominic West) did it every service it deserved and I couldn’t imagine a more superb performance. There were so many things that enjoyed about this book and I am afraid if I tried to start listing them I would miss something. Ishiguro captured so many themes in this beautiful work, which constantly evoked sentiments which just deeply touched me (which was perfectly executed each and ever time by Dominic!) There was such a true essence to main character telling his life story which will make it hard to forget him. I would recommend this book to anyone and myself would reread this book! It deserves the award it won and it definitely is on my “best read” list.

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Great book and reading.

An almost Victorian novel in style and character. I love the way it was set.

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This novel works at lots of levels.

i immensely enjoyed this book. The reader is perfect. It shows a slice of history undergoing change. The author show the foibles of human nature with care and gentleness. Very touching. Clever. Satisfying.

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A most dignified read.

One would wish to compliment the author, on performing his writing duties, with such considerable skill as to delight the reader!

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A butler’s memoir

A tender and touching story of a life spent in the service of others. Nobel laureate Ishiguro is Japanese by birth but he vividly captures the nature and nuances of Englishness in the years before and soon after the Second World War. The narrator Dominic West splendidly embodies that English character employing convincing English manner of speaking both posh and rural.
A most enjoyable and poignant read.

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Beautiful

I'd seen the movie - a long time ago - but had never read the book.

It is simply & beautifully told. Stevens sets out on a road trip in his employer's car for a week. The week is filled with reverie of his life over 30 years as butler to a great household & his relationship with former housekeeper Miss Kenton.

Stevens' focus throughout his career has been on dignity within his role as butler & we become aware what he has sacrificed to achieve & maintain this goal. He too seems to become aware & regrets the impact the sacrifice this focus has had on his relationship with his father & also his potential love interest.

Stevens' character is well crafted, the story is a moving one of a life when the large English houses were the hub of political activity. It is wonderfully told & narrated.

Stevens weighs his regrets but resolves to enjoy the remains of "his day".

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Book of the year

This audio book is fantastic. The narration perfectly matches the sensational story telling. A must read.

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