Kazuo Ishiguro’s writing is brilliant in the way it captures the essence of upper-crust England during the early 20th century. His impeccable characterization of Stevens, the straight-laced, devoted butler who defines himself by his career, set a flawless tone with Stevens’ speech pattern. I smiled/sniggered frequently with his emotional distancing (referring to himself in the third person) and verbally beating around the bush (“as it were”, “so to speak”, “I dare say” …)
On a week-long road trip, Stevens’ mind wanders through memories of his career highlights and glimpses only the tip of his emotions … including a love that never happened with Miss Kenton (whom he is driving to see) because of his unemotional dedication to duty and pursuit of dignity. Ishiguro received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2017 – deservedly so!

When I started reading this at first I was like idk, but then the greatness of the book starts coming through and encouraged me to continue without hesitation and I wound up reading the whole book in under 24 hours ultimately. I really enjoyed this book and recommend visiting it if you haven't, try it out, maybe you'll like it too

This is a story about blind loyalty at the expense of one’s love, youth and ultimately one’s allegiance to his country.

I loved this dear book. The story and characters seemed quite simple, but they lived with all the tangled complications we all do. Stevens is an aging butler, deeply committed to striving for perfection in his duties. He was in charge of a large staff at a distinguished house, serving an important and distinguished gentleman. The housekeeper, Miss Kent, and he developed a professional friendship which turned a bit more personal. Never, however, personal enough to overshadow his duties as a dignified manservant in a distinguished house. She left, the important gentleman fell into some disrepute, and an American bought the house. Also, Stevens himself began faltering. He went on a road trip to visit Mss Kent, and met some deeper aspects of himself, and developed some ideas he had earlier pooh-poohed or ignored. In my mind, he’s a cousin of Major Pettigrew and the gentleman in Moscow — earnest, authentic, and kind.

Marvelous book. A butler goes on a short holiday and reflects on his career and employers, noting that change is happening, a change that he may not join.

Winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1989, I couldn't put down this quiet story of an English butler reflecting back on his career and life.

This book is a thought-provoking and delightful read. As Mr. Stevens motors his way through the countryside he reflects on happenings both past and present. His quest for dignity is a prevalent theme as are his ruminations on acquiring the gift of bantering. The past includes momentous and historical happenings as well as encounters with Miss Kenton, the former housekeeper. Those exchanges remind me of Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes in the Downton series, but without the happy pairing of the two. . . yet we find ourselves daring to hope for more.

Is the reputation of the butler solely tied to his lordship? Does he have individual liberties and obligations outside of his loyalty to the house he serves? As Stevens reflects on "the remains of his day," we do so as well. Very appropriate book group selection. No wonder it was a Nobel prize winner.

So amazing. What a well-written book.

It's hard to describe what it's like, but the author is so clever at revealing the past slowly. I can see why this book has won so many prizes. It's a treat to read.

It reminded me a lot of Downton Abbey. I think it made a bit more sense to me because I have seen that show, so I could picture it clearly in my head and just hear him talking.

I recommend this for anyone.

Frankly I only picked up this book because it was a Booker Prize winner and by a Nobel Prize winning author. It was a P.G. Wodehouse meets Jane Austen account of four decades of a British butler's life. Stevens the Butler has a wonderful voice as he tells his tale of all that transpired in Lord Darlington's mansion and subsequently of the scaling down by the new American owner. I enjoyed his style and the undercurrent of unrequited romance. I would unhesitatingly recommend this book. It is a breath of fresh air.

I chose this book because Kazuo Ishiguro had won the Nobel Prize in Literature and I was really excited to read something of his, maybe a little too excited. I guess the low rating is a result of how boring I found the book, yet I think that is the only reason for the low rating. I found it interesting how the author went into the politics of being a butler and the art of being a butler and the heavily debated topics of what makes a good butler, but there is only so much I could stand.
The main character is excellently crafted and he reminded me a little bit of Monk, I was annoyed at him many times and I felt sadness for him as his residence diminished in size, yet the book was lacking. However, I don't think there is anyone who could have written a better book with the same plot. I am looking forward to reading his other books, with a little bit of caution.
PS I feel like I definitely missed something that others understood.