59 pages 1 hour read

Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Never Let Me Go is a dystopian novel by Kazuo Ishiguro in which Kathy, a clone and "carer," reflects on her time at Hailsham boarding school with friends Ruth and Tommy. As they grow up, they uncover unsettling truths about their purpose as organ donors, deal with complex emotions and relationships, and face the inevitable fate designed for them by society. Themes in the book include human cloning and organ harvesting.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro is lauded for its poignant and thought-provoking narrative, exploring themes of humanity, memory, and identity within a dystopian setting. However, some readers find the pace slow and certain elements predictable. Overall, Ishiguro's evocative prose and deep character development create a compelling and haunting read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Never Let Me Go?

Fans of literary fiction and dystopian narratives will appreciate Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go. Readers who enjoy exploring ethical dilemmas and human relationships in speculative settings, akin to Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World or Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, will find this novel profoundly engaging.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

970L

Book Details

Genre

British Literature

Japanese Literature

Asian Literature

Themes

Values/Ideas: Fate