Summary
Never Let Me Go, published in 2005, is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel by British author Kazuo Ishiguro. Set in a dystopian version of England, the novel raises provocative questions about the ethical implications of scientific advancement and what it means to be human. It follows the lives of three friends—Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy—as they grow up in a secluded boarding school called Hailsham. As the story unfolds, readers gradually discover the dark truth behind the characters' existence and their predetermined fate. Distinguished by Ishiguro's haunting prose, engaging storytelling, and subtle world-building, the novel received widespread praise and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. In 2010, Never Let Me Go was adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, and Andrew Garfield.
Set in an alternate version of England, Never Let Me Go follows the life of Kathy H., a young woman who reminisces about her childhood at Hailsham, an isolated boarding school. As students, Kathy and her friends Ruth and Tommy are sheltered from the outside world and constantly reminded of their special status. They spend their days creating art and maintaining their health, unaware of their true purpose.
As they grow older, the trio moves to a transitional facility called the Cottages. Here, they begin to learn disturbing truths about their existence. It is revealed that they are clones, created solely to donate their organs to others. Despite this revelation, they struggle to come to terms with their fate and cling to the possibility of deferring their donations if they can prove they are truly in love.
Years pass, and Kathy becomes a “carer” for other donors, including Ruth and Tommy. As Ruth's health deteriorates, she expresses regret for keeping Kathy and Tommy apart. After Ruth's death, Kathy and Tommy finally pursue a relationship and attempt to secure a deferral based on their love. However, they discover that such exemptions do not exist, shattering their last hope for a different future.
The novel concludes with Tommy completing his final donation and Kathy preparing for her own. As she reflects on her experiences and losses, Kathy must confront the inevitability of her predetermined fate. Throughout the story, Ishiguro explores themes of memory, identity, and the ethical implications of scientific advancement, all set against the backdrop of a seemingly normal but profoundly altered society.
