I love this book so much!! I picked up a different theme when I read this. mine was my attitude towards work. work used to take up a huge chunk of my life and during the time I read this I was slowly becoming disillusioned by the corporate life. In the book, Stevens was also coming to terms with the “remainder of his life” which before was solely consumed by his work as a butler. Guess you can say I read this book at the right time.
I also loved the tone of writing of this book. It’s very butler-y.
Wonderful article, Kolina! I enjoyed this both for the analysis tips as well as for the opportunity to revisit Remains of the Day, which I read for the first time last year and loved. I'm a huge fan of annotating and, while it comes naturally for me with nonfiction, I really appreciate hearing these unique approaches with fiction - I'll be incorporating some of these ideas into my reading experiences. Thanks for sharing!
This was so interesting! I love reading about how other readers approach deep reading. I haven't read this book yet but I've always wondered what I'd think of it
I had so much fun reading this, Kolina. I think there's something so empowering about taking your learning into your own hands. I am similarly figuring this out as I go and having so much fun in the process. It is so tempting to think about going back to school but I find this way of learning so much more satisfying because it is completely self-motivated.
I know that Sara is a huge fan of this book so I've had it on my radar for a while. Then a couple of weeks ago I actually found a copy in a little lending library in my neighborhood. After reading this post, I now know I must read it!!!
Ahhh! Thanks so much Petya! The self-motivation really is key. I cannot believe you found it in a lending library! It’s fate! I found mine used at Boswell Books and thought I totally scored (I did). I am truly SO excited for your thoughts once you read it! If you don’t write about it, do message me!
What’s the first non-Didion book you’re going to read next month btw?? I keep thinking about how hard it would be for me to only read her for an entire month! Is it??
Another great newsletter by an academic that comes to mind is Stunning Sentences by Nina Schuyler. I'm not sure if you've read it yet. It's an amazing resource for literary learning.
Hi Kolina, thanks for this post -there’s so much here. I appreciate these reading methods suggestions. I find I either don’t annotate and don’t retain or I waste time going over the same things. I can apply these suggestions immediately. I’m reading the fall issue of Alaska Quarterly Review and the 100th issue of AGNI is next on my list.
I did read Remains of the Day and it left a lasting impression on me. I first read Ishiguro’s novel the summer between HS and college. I think that I read it because the Wall Street Journal recommended it for summer reading and my dad wanted me to study business or something lucrative. So I read it through the lens of figuring out what I’m going to / what’s a career path like.
These were my themes:
- Romantic workaholism - Stevens working through his father's death, I'll never forget.
- Decorum / Reserve - your themes of modesty & dignity.
- Career instability - I learned can't work the same job or line of work your whole life.
- US ascendency / exceptionalism / informalism - in the form of the new owner, but it wasn’t like winning an Olympic medal.
- Nostalgia - the backstory is the old way and certain, and the new way, even the vacation, is uncertain, Clinging to the past can be dangerous, but it’s tragically romantic.
- Institutional failure - the old institutions have failed and the new ones aren’t up to the challenge in part because they don’t have substantive values.
I think your conclusion that Ishiguro succeed on revealing to readers how damning our own perspective (or lack thereof) can be is perfect.
I came back to this novel after several years in the workplace and it was even more tragic and sad. This is a novel that business consultants like to reference to sound insightful, but it just strikes bewilderment and dread in me. So it still remains very powerful.
I’m looking forward to reading your Sub Club piece, I follow that stack! The nightstand sounds interesting.
Romantic workaholism! Decorum! These are incredibly on-point. I love hearing the themes other readers picked up on. I've never heard a business consultant refer to this and I think it would put me over the edge. Like, have they read the book even? Stevens' obsession with his job -- or his romantic workaholism -- and the institutional failure both put a businesses in a bad light.
Your comment is a post in itself. Thank you for your generosity in sharing all this with us!
Wow, Kolina! I enjoy reading each one of your weekly writings, but this one was over the top!
Wait, this was a compliment right?! 🤣
Absolutely a comment!!!
Hehe good!!!
Awww, thank you so much Barb!! 🧡
I love this book so much!! I picked up a different theme when I read this. mine was my attitude towards work. work used to take up a huge chunk of my life and during the time I read this I was slowly becoming disillusioned by the corporate life. In the book, Stevens was also coming to terms with the “remainder of his life” which before was solely consumed by his work as a butler. Guess you can say I read this book at the right time.
I also loved the tone of writing of this book. It’s very butler-y.
Attitude toward work! That’s such a good one. It’s everywhere in the book. I’m so glad you read it at the right time. It’s a perfect book 🥰
Wonderful article, Kolina! I enjoyed this both for the analysis tips as well as for the opportunity to revisit Remains of the Day, which I read for the first time last year and loved. I'm a huge fan of annotating and, while it comes naturally for me with nonfiction, I really appreciate hearing these unique approaches with fiction - I'll be incorporating some of these ideas into my reading experiences. Thanks for sharing!
That is so amazing to hear, Christi! Isn't it the most incredible book?! ✨
Also, apologize for my extremely late response -- I just saw your comment now! 🥴 Have you incorporated any of these concepts into your reading??
This was so interesting! I love reading about how other readers approach deep reading. I haven't read this book yet but I've always wondered what I'd think of it
I love reading how others approach a close read too! Which is what compelled me to try it out myself. If you ever read the book, lmk what you think!
Absolutely a Compliment!!!
(dang auto correct on my phone!😏)
🥰🥰🥰🥰
I had so much fun reading this, Kolina. I think there's something so empowering about taking your learning into your own hands. I am similarly figuring this out as I go and having so much fun in the process. It is so tempting to think about going back to school but I find this way of learning so much more satisfying because it is completely self-motivated.
I know that Sara is a huge fan of this book so I've had it on my radar for a while. Then a couple of weeks ago I actually found a copy in a little lending library in my neighborhood. After reading this post, I now know I must read it!!!
Ahhh! Thanks so much Petya! The self-motivation really is key. I cannot believe you found it in a lending library! It’s fate! I found mine used at Boswell Books and thought I totally scored (I did). I am truly SO excited for your thoughts once you read it! If you don’t write about it, do message me!
What’s the first non-Didion book you’re going to read next month btw?? I keep thinking about how hard it would be for me to only read her for an entire month! Is it??
it was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
Another great newsletter by an academic that comes to mind is Stunning Sentences by Nina Schuyler. I'm not sure if you've read it yet. It's an amazing resource for literary learning.
https://substack.com/@ninaschuyler
I haven’t yet but I am so excited to check it out! Thank you very much!!
Hi Kolina, thanks for this post -there’s so much here. I appreciate these reading methods suggestions. I find I either don’t annotate and don’t retain or I waste time going over the same things. I can apply these suggestions immediately. I’m reading the fall issue of Alaska Quarterly Review and the 100th issue of AGNI is next on my list.
I did read Remains of the Day and it left a lasting impression on me. I first read Ishiguro’s novel the summer between HS and college. I think that I read it because the Wall Street Journal recommended it for summer reading and my dad wanted me to study business or something lucrative. So I read it through the lens of figuring out what I’m going to / what’s a career path like.
These were my themes:
- Romantic workaholism - Stevens working through his father's death, I'll never forget.
- Decorum / Reserve - your themes of modesty & dignity.
- Career instability - I learned can't work the same job or line of work your whole life.
- US ascendency / exceptionalism / informalism - in the form of the new owner, but it wasn’t like winning an Olympic medal.
- Nostalgia - the backstory is the old way and certain, and the new way, even the vacation, is uncertain, Clinging to the past can be dangerous, but it’s tragically romantic.
- Institutional failure - the old institutions have failed and the new ones aren’t up to the challenge in part because they don’t have substantive values.
I think your conclusion that Ishiguro succeed on revealing to readers how damning our own perspective (or lack thereof) can be is perfect.
I came back to this novel after several years in the workplace and it was even more tragic and sad. This is a novel that business consultants like to reference to sound insightful, but it just strikes bewilderment and dread in me. So it still remains very powerful.
I’m looking forward to reading your Sub Club piece, I follow that stack! The nightstand sounds interesting.
Romantic workaholism! Decorum! These are incredibly on-point. I love hearing the themes other readers picked up on. I've never heard a business consultant refer to this and I think it would put me over the edge. Like, have they read the book even? Stevens' obsession with his job -- or his romantic workaholism -- and the institutional failure both put a businesses in a bad light.
Your comment is a post in itself. Thank you for your generosity in sharing all this with us!
Love this and thanks for the Housemates shout out 💞💞
It is SUCH A good time! 💜