The Remains of the Day is a quiet, affecting novel that walks in the steps of a mid-twentieth century butler. Little happens in these pages that will excite your average reader. It is Ishiguro's ability to reveal the story so slowly, to create such a believable character, and to craft such a quietly devastating conclusion that makes this story “exciting”. It is very similar to the style Ishiguro utilized in Never Let Me Go, though the latter contained more elements of suspense and intrigue. I know of no other author who can so wonderfully create such a delicate story and make it not only interesting, but have it move me to the verge of tears. Twice now Ishiguro has shocked me in the final pages and made me teary-eyed, and he did it in such a way that I never saw it coming.
