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Never Let Me Go or You Are Born to Let Go of Everyone You Loved? A Story of Love, Pain and Suffering of being a Human

I like to live a loner life, mainly because I don’t like to be around people who I don’t care about or who don’t vibe with me. And so one fine day, when I was scrolling social media, I came across a post that said, ‘4 Books You Should Read If You Like to Be Alone

And I raised my hand. One of the books among other 3 was, ‘Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro‘. I don’t know why but the title just hit home to my heart. I read the title and the next moment, I was lost in the moment of nostalgia. The next thing you know, I was reading the book, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. 

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Before you read any further of the bookticle (book + article = bookrticle, I know such a name doesn’t exist but who cares?), I would like to clarify that before reading the book, I didn’t read any reviews. I read the book with no hopes or expectations in my head. However, before writing how I feel about the book, I certainly did read what others have got to say on Goodreads. Some people say that Never Let Me Go is a work of science fiction but I would like to differ. Why?

Because I guess Never Let Me Go is a book of human irony. There is so much to be said about kindness by humans, and how kindness can save the world, yet whilst reading Never Let Me Go, I felt that humans are funny, cruel and the perfect epitome of the devil.

It’s a story of a girl named, Kathy who is sharing her life story which we can also refer to as a nightmare. Kathy is 31 years old woman who knows exactly how her life is going to end and how she is going to lose every person she loved for the sake of inhumanity.

Let’s take a look into Kathy’s past to understand what I am trying to say;

Kathy, among various other children like her, was brought up in a boarding school named, Hailsham. Ohh and I am sorry, did I tell you what other children like her mean? Children like her mean, poor little angels who don’t have anyone in this world, neither their parents nor God. No one knows what their past was but one bizarre thing is, these children can never become parents. Why? God knows. 

Since we are on the topic of cruelty, allow me to take you through the roller coaster ride of hell that is designed for the students of Hailsham. Although, every child in Hailsham is provided with good food, a safe roof, and the luxury to learn art and literature, and become just the sort of people the world wants them to be. They also have teachers who they call ‘guardians’ but surprisingly, they are not allowed to go outside of Hailsham, nor are they allowed to talk about what they are supposed to be doing after Hailsham. 

Why?

Because the future is a luxury and dreaming about a glorious future is not within everyone’s limits. Apparently, the children of Hailsham are born to serve their purpose and then DIE. Well, you might say that’s what we all are here for. But that’s where things get interesting or cruel. 

The children of Hailsham are brought up with no knowledge of the outside world and are vaguely told that as soon as they become adults, they have to leave Hailsham and live as a carer. No arguments. Becoming a carer is what their fate is. And when you cannot take care of other patients, you are supposed to donate your organs, one by one, until you die. That’s their purpose. Oh my dear God, how Nobel. Isn’t it?

Well, the only difference is these poor children have to donate their organs even if they don’t want to. Ohh I am so sorry, wait. Wanting something is again a matter of luxury that Hailsman students don’t have. In fact, they don’t even know ‘what wanting means’ They are just born to die like slaughtered animals. Poor little souls. 

And guess what? Hailsman students are supposed to keep going through operations to donate their organs until finally, they rest in peace.

Maybe death is peaceful for those whose life wasn’t. 

-Renuka Gavrani

The question is WHY? Why do Hailsman students have to go through hell? Why do they have to live when they are supposed to die without dreaming or doing something of their choice? Why don’t they have a choice? Why cannot they dream? And who are their parents? 

When you read the book, you will perhaps get all your answers. But let me remind you every answer will be incomplete and vague because the author leaves it to you to do your work. To go as deep into your imagination as you can.

Never Let Me Go is a story of Kathy who is also serving as a carer, she is a good one, who is serious and a little more passionate about taking care of the ones in need. She listens to the pain and suffering of the people who have donated their organs and are waiting to die until they don’t have anything else to offer.

Kathy takes us on the journey of her past, and present where the readers find themselves longing for answers. She starts with her time in Hailsman with her two best friends, Tommy and Ruth. The three of them grow together but apparently cannot live together. She shares the pain of not being able to be with her friends yet she embraces the solitude. It’s like she has made her peace with the fact that she is on this earth all on her own and loving someone is only going to hurt. She and her solitude is all she got. While reading Kathy’s journey, I found myself lost and incapable to give her pain a name or conclusion. 

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Book Summary
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

But then perhaps, that’s human Never Let Me Go is all about. The journey of pain, suffering, human cruelty, a world with no kindness for some specific people, students with no future, and choked dreams. 

When you read the book, you will realize what it takes to be a human when you are not treated or considered as one. In one sentence, if I had to describe, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, I would say, Perhaps, being a human is not the same for all, and the luxury of having a choice, dreams, and having someone who loves you is an expensive thing that not everyone can afford. Some people are here to prove to us that, humans are in the end not as kind as they think. We are all so observed in ourselves to even think about what others around us are going through and the injustice people in every place are suffering from every single day.

Conclusion:

If I am being honest, at times, I felt really bored whilst reading Never Let Me Go. I wanted more. I felt like I am reading someone’s journal only the slowest possible version which made me want to close the book. However, the concept, the storytelling, and the simple yet painful language used in the book are what will make it all worth it. I would definitely recommend you to go and read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro if you wish to explore the other side of this world. 

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