Bouncing British in Shanghai! (When We Were Orphans - Kazuo Ishiguro)

Member Name: Alindrail

Product:	When We Were Orphans - Kazuo Ishiguro
Date:	15/03/01 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good narration, action, and character insight

Disadvantages: Sometimes a little surreal, and no real character resolution

In this book by the author of 'The Remains of the Day' the action centres around the character of Christopher Banks, a private detective who was born in Shanghai, but was shipped back to London following the kidnapping of his parents.

Ishiguro moves the action in both time and place, flicking between the past and present, and from Shanghai to London. The evocation of the inter-war atmosphere is remarkable, giving you a real sense of what it was like to live through those turbulent and naive times. The characters realise their impending doom as the prospect of war looms on the horizon, but at the same time deny culpability or even a real belief in what will come to pass.

Christopher's obsession wil solving the case of his parents separate kidnappings is well portrayed, and his inability to accept that they might not be alive are excellently brought across. His edge of desparation towards the end, and his meeting with a friend from the past borders on the surreal, but is well balanced by the fact that the surreal elements are brought in through Christopher's point of view.

A well rounded book, a nice length with an appropriate mix of narration and action. Wonderful style and good characters, the restraining influence of the era on them well portrayed.

My one complaint is that the characters never really come to peace with themselves, but then again perhaps that is the message. Not everyone is able to resolve their past.

Good read, and a good member for the shortlist for the 2000 Booker Prize.

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