42 pages 1 hour read

Kazuo Ishiguro

The Buried Giant

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Set in Arthurian Britain just after King Arthur’s death, The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro follows the journey of an elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, as they search for their lost son in a land shrouded by a mist that causes memory loss. Traveling through mysterious and fantastical environments, they encounter various characters, such as Wistan, Edwin, and Sir Gawain, each with hidden motives, ultimately leading to a climactic confrontation with the dragon Querig. Themes of memory, aging, love, and loss are explored in a setting filled with buried sadness and uncertainty. The book contains sensitive topics related to memory loss, death, and violence.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant is praised for its evocative prose and exploration of memory, love, and loss. The novel's allegorical nature and its blending of fantasy with historical reality captivate readers. However, some critics find the pacing slow and the narrative structure disjointed, which may challenge reader engagement. Overall, the book is a thought-provoking but divisive read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Buried Giant?

A reader who would enjoy The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro is likely a fan of literary fiction with a blend of fantasy and historical elements. They appreciate rich, allegorical storytelling similar to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and the introspective narrative style of Ishiguro's own Never Let Me Go.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Japanese Literature

Asian Literature

Fantasy

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Topics

History: World