The Unconsoled - is it worth persevering?

11 replies

BeepBeepTheresaSheep · 28/09/2018 07:16

I'm about a quarter of the way through Kazuo Ishiguros The unconsoled. I'm finding it difficult and a bit bewildering, I've no idea what's really going on and little empathy for any character. but is it going to be one where it all makes sense at the end. Did anyone really enjoy it? I hate giving up on books ...

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OksanaAstankova · 28/09/2018 07:22

I read it 20 years ago on holiday when I still thought that you should always finish a book, no matter what. The Unconsoled was the book that convinced me that life is too short to read books that you don't enjoy!

Original poster

BeepBeepTheresaSheep · 28/09/2018 07:35

Thanks oksana glad it's not just me then

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Taffeta · 29/09/2018 14:01

Nope - I tried and gave up on it about four times. It still taunts me from my bookshelf....

LatinForTelly · 30/09/2018 01:42

I finished it. I remember asking a friend, does it resolve? Maybe I shouldn't say what he said! It remains the most bonkers book I've ever read.

NamelessEnsign · 30/09/2018 02:01

I couldn’t bear it, and usually I love KI’s books.

I think it may be the first book I failed to finish. These days I am more precious about my time, and wouldn’t get as far as I did! I even gave our copy away to charity because I have no qualms about not reading it.

ChessieFL · 30/09/2018 11:28

Nope, I gave up about a quarter of the way through. I looked at some reviews which said it doesn’t really change or get any better so I decided not to bother with any more! There’s too many good books to read to waste time on something I’m not enjoying.

Original poster

BeepBeepTheresaSheep · 30/09/2018 12:15

Thanks all, its going back to the library tomorrow then!

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reallybadidea · 30/09/2018 12:43

Glad to hear that it's a library book and that you said waste any money on it!

DoubleHelix79 · 30/09/2018 13:54

I love love love Ishiguru and have read everything the man has ever written. Would read his shopping list if it was available.

The unconsoled dragged on and on and just never made any sense. I gave up about halfway through and was immensely relieved.

Let's pretend this monstrosity never existed.

Original poster

BeepBeepTheresaSheep · 01/10/2018 12:44

reallybadidea the only thing invested has been my time. Pretty unanimous that this is an appalling novel then. Like pps, i normally love ishiguro and so wanted the unconsoled to be good.

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DolorestheNewt · 01/10/2018 12:46

Nope, abandoned it. Glad to see I am in good company.

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