45 pages • 1 hour read
Kazuo IshiguroWhen We Were Orphans
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000A 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
Super Short Summary
When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro follows Christopher Banks, a detective in 1930s England, who returns to Shanghai to solve the mystery of his parents' disappearance from his childhood. Blending elements of detective fiction, the historical novel paints a vivid picture of social systems in China and the UK during the early 20th century as Banks confronts childhood memories and political intrigue. The novel includes themes such as war, disappearance of loved ones, substance abuse, and familial separation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kazuo Ishiguro's When We Were Orphans blends detective fiction, psychological depth, and nostalgic reflection. Critics laud Ishiguro's elegant prose and complex character development. However, some find the plot convoluted and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a thought-provoking exploration of memory and identity, though it may not satisfy those seeking conventional mystery thrills.
Who Should Read When We Were Orphans?
A reader who enjoys When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro would appreciate intricate narratives, psychological depth, and historical mysteries. Fans of The Remains of the Day by Ishiguro himself or The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón will find a similar allure in this reflective exploration of identity and memory.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1030LBook Details
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Military / War
History: Asian
Race / Racism
Colonialism / Postcolonialism
Life/Time: The Past
Relationships: Family