8 books written by 2017 Nobel Literature laureate Kazuo Ishiguro

2017 Nobel Literature laureate Kazuo Ishiguro is a British writer of Japanese origin. He was born in Nagasaki in 1954 and later grew up in England after his family moved there in 1959. Ishiguro's debut book titled 'A Pale View of Hills' was published in 1982, and since then the author has penned eight books in his 35-year career. Described as “an original and remarkable genius” by The New York Times, Ishiguro's work has been translated into more than 40 languages. So here's a guide to Kazuo Ishiguro's books so far. Interestingly, all of the Ishiguro's books have first person narration!
(Pic Credit: Kazuo Ishiguro/ Facebook)

'A Pale View of Hills' is Kazuo Ishiguro's highly acclaimed debut book. The story revolves around Etsuko, a Japanese woman now living alone in England, dwelling on her daughter's recent suicide. In the novel, Etsuko relives the past of Japan's devastation during World War 2 and recalls her strange friendship with Sachiko, who was reduced to vagrancy.

Through his 1986 book 'An Artist of the Floating World', Ishiguro gives the readers an authentic glimpse of the post war Japan. Set in 1948, after being defeated in World War 2, Japanese are trying to rebuild their lives. The story is about Masuji Ono, an artist who lost his wife and son to the war. Ono now lives with his daughters and grandson but the memories of the past, about the rise of Japanese militarism keep haunting him. Ishiguro's 'An Artist of the Floating World' won the Whitbread Book of the Year award in 1986 and was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize the same year.

Man Booker Prize winning title 'The Remains of the Day' is one of Ishiguro's best-known novels. It is written as a diary of an English butler Stevens, who worked in a manor house during World War 2. The story describes Stevens' unrequitted love for his former co-worker Miss Kenton, who was married. Ishiguro wrote 'The Remains of the Day' in a span of just one month when he was 32-years-old. The novel was also adapted into a film of the same name in 1993.

'The Unconsoled' is about the anxiety of an ageing pianist. The story revolves around Ryder, who visits a Central European city which he cannot recognize for a concert which he doesn't remember agreeing to. The series of events that follow are strange and comical, just like a dream. But Ryder slowly realises that he is facing the most critical performance of his life.

Set in 1930s London, the story is about the celebrated detective Christopher Banks, who is haunted by the incident of his parents' mysterious disapperance in old Shanghai when he was just a small boy. The story shifts between London and Shanghai during the inter-war years. Ishiguro's 'When We Were Orphans' is about memory, loss, and the yearning to return.

'Never Let Me Go' is a story about human clones who are created to donate their organs as adults, narrated by 31-years-old Kathy. But the novel has much more to offer, as it also highlights love, friendship and the fragility of life. 'Never Let Me Go' is considered as one of Ishiguro's finest works and it's also adapted into a motion picture.

Published in 2009, 'Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall' is Ishiguro’s seventh book. As the name suggests, 'Nocturnes' has five interconnected stories where music plays an important role. This quintet is based on an important theme of the struggles of keeping life's romance alive.

Ishiguro's 'The Buried Giant' is a fantasy novel which was published in 2015. The story revolves around a couple who sets off on a journey to find a son they haven't seen in many years. The book is about forgotten memories, love and war.

(All Book Covers: Vintage Books & Anchor Books/ Facebook)